Lura

This steamy release from Cape Verde's other export tones down the sodade (that ineffable longing that's all over Cape Verdean morna) and skews closer to sultry. Lura's vocal charm is undeniable: she shepherds these songs with a sure touch, keeping the instrumentation breezy even as her voice, which recalls a young Angelique Kidjo, rings out with all the fervor and passion of youth. The only drawback? The album doesn't fully capture Lura's penchant for exciting, danceable live shows. Still, we'll take what we can get when it sounds this good.