Madredeus: Teresa Salgueiro (vocals); Jose Peixoto, Pedro Ayres Magalhaes (guitar); Carlos Maria Trindade (synthesizer); Fernando Judice (acoustic bass guitar).
Recording information: Garate Studios, San Sebastian, Spain; Xangoritab Studios, Lisbon (2004).
After a remix album that featured collaborations with celebrated electronica acts (including Manitoba and Telepopmusik), Portugal's Madredeus returned to a more organic sound for 2005's FALUAS DO TEJO. Here Teresa Salgueiro's high, clear voice perfectly complements the lilting music, which is steeped in delicate acoustic-guitar lines (courtesy of key members Jose Peixoto and Pedro Ayres Magalhaes) and light synthesizer textures. The opening song, "Lisboa, Rainha Do Mar," conjures up a gently swaying nautical atmosphere, while "Fado Das Duvidas" is a beautifully melancholy example of the traditional "fado" style. A quiet, pensive mood pervades the record, as revealed on the gorgeous, waltz-like title track and the achingly emotive "Cais Distante." Bossa nova and flamenco accents also drift through on occasion, making this an album that can't be pigeonholed by one Latin style. For a wonderful example of roots-minded Portuguese music with a subtle modern flair, Madredeus's FALUAS DO TEJO is ideal.
