Guilhermina

Tito Paris delivers again on this release. He's a master of African and Caribbean rhythms. Guilhermina picks up where Graca de Tchega left off. Paris has further developed his sensual style with finesse. His silky vocals coupled with his exquisite guitar work make for another Cape Verdean album destined to become a classic. Paris is one of the premier performers of Cape Verdean music, helping to keep it both fresh and rooted to its origins. Guilhermina covers a lot of ground, from Cape Verdean coladeira to funana to mambo to samba. He doesn't let up at all anywhere on the album. Even the mournful ballads move you. On the more up-tempo tracks, it's the percussion that drives it all, pushing things deeper into the groove. The title track swings in a torrent of polyrhythmic percussive waves. "Rosto Di Morena" is a kinetic stew that boils over. The listener and dancer are challenged at every turn. Buy it, listen, dance, and rejoice. Tito Paris makes it easy to do. Another fine album by a master in his prime. Highly recommended.