In the beginning of 2006, the second issue of the american capeverdean culture magazine "
Sodade", was finally out.
In this exciting number Carmen had some attention with a great article written about her, that like jornalist Osvaldo dos Reis said : "...Carmen Souza, an upcoming new singer whose innovative music will simply charm and conquer you. "
"As Cape Verde cements itself into the world music scene with its diverse styles like, morna, coladera funana, batuku, deeply rooted rhythms and styles form across the archipelago Carmen Souza still felt like the game could use a few more. In dives the ambitious 24-year-old with her own vision, following an unlikely though immensely crafty path with enormous capability of reaching further into the (main) stream.
Though she is not hesitant to admit that she's not a purist or traditionalist, Carmen, who was born in Portugal, is quite familiar with the music of her forefathers and the ever-present sodade (longing; nostalgia) shared by Capeverdeans around the world. Her persistance, combined with a continuous willingness to learn and grow artistically, mixed in with her whispery vocals over soulful uplifting music all led to a brilliantly mastered album.
" Ess ê nha Cabo verde", (This is my Cape Verde) so compelling it crosses language barriers to reach even those with a certain refined taste for music.
Like many other artists of her caliber though, the singer, musician and composer will not give in to any particular category or genre, and for the purposes of the label-crazed world alone, she calls her music " Cape Verde/jazz/fusion," something that may ring fairly new to Capeverdeans and also quench the thirst of those who carry the sense of natural inventiveness of the music of the islands.
"I could make a whole different kind of music but then I wouldn't be true to myself and to what I know and experience", says Carmen of the direction she has taken with her 2005 debut, which has landed her on stages in North America, Canada and Various European Countries, including London's major annual world music summer festival WOMAD 2005.
A loyal churchgoer and avid listener of jazz, gospel and soul, not to omit afro/jazz/fusion all on full display, Carmen seductively bares her soul in such rhythmical fashion while smoothly transporting listeners from one fascinating journey to another: "Mostly what goes to my mind is which 'colors' can I give to the compositions. It depends on the mood, not that I'm a moody person, but as you can hear in the album, it's mainly wishes, joys, sadness and nowadays problems," Carmen articulates, alluding to her writing techniques which also include playing the guitar and keyboard.
With a full sponsorship from RDP Africa, Portugal's only world/afro radio station, Carmen's critically acclaimed 10 track solo, produced under label TheOo TheZz Records, shows hints of traditional sounds of Africa and Cape Verde ( Batuku, Kola san Djon and Morna), impeccably blended with the Western Jazz/Acoustic soul and other modern influences. Not surprisingly, " Ess ê nha Cabo Verde", entirely interpreted in Capeverdean Creole, has been distributed throughout most of europe, from Spain, Poland, to Russia, UK as well as the United States and Cape Verde.
All of that undoubtedly comes from with being gifted, but also being taken as protégée by such an extraordinary musician/bassist/producer like Theo Pas'cal, whom Carmen understandably credits for the entire career thus far. " The fact that I had already worked in the past with other capeverdean/African musicians and had a strong influence of African rhythms in my own music made the process even easier," Pas'cal recollects, pinpointing Carmen's determination to preserve her own personal musical influences in her work from the very beginning.
Not exactly a newcomer to the music business, Carmen, once a member of the gospel group Shout!, met the producer when she decided to make a career for herself at 17 years old, becomming a background singer of the bands Quamundo's and Funky Messengers with whom she has been touring since 2001. She had previously written for and collaborated with other artists, namely her producer Pas'cal, but with this album which she calls a pure reflection of her own interpretation of Cape Verde, Carmen also timely portrays the evolution of this music throughout the years.
Wether she is likely to be ranked amongst other renowned artists such as Luis Morais, Ildo Lobo or Cesaria Evora whom she admires for being able to take their music across country borderd, Carmen's indomitable dive into her own Cape Verde/jazz/fusion has taught her one valuable lesson she will always cherish: "the reactions to the same music are so different from Portugal to England to Macau... but the warmth and acceptance is the same". Her music has been so well-
accepted that Carmen is already preparing a special Roots edition of " Ess ê nha Cabo Verde", to which she will add more roots-based arrangements on six tracks and four new songs, to be released this year in England.
Still, Carmen Souza is really only getting started and while other young Capeverdean artists have reached remarkable levels musically, Pas'cal foresees something a bit less similar in Carmen's career: " I believe that each artist has his/her artistic individuality so you never have two alike. For me her album is unique. I think that she will reach different platforms, mostly because her music has other elements that can appeal to a different audience with its freshness, although we didn't think of that when making the songs."
January 2006, USA, by Nuria Chantre
featured in Jazz Magazine, from The Netherlands, February issue with inclusion in the Jazzdelic CD, distributed free with the magazine and a full page interview
band CANE FIRE - 
