Gerasonobu

At the age of 27, Elida Almeida is a high achiever: Gerasonobu is her fourth album and she is considered by many as the Cape Verdean singer most likely to follow in the footsteps of the late Cesaria Evora. Gerasonobu (‘New Generation’ in Cape Verdean Creole) is a supremely confident effort with opener ‘Bibidibo’ a percussive workout that takes no prisoners. Across this album Almeida mixes Cape Verde's elegiac morna with more contemporary Afro sounds. She's determined to giver her music a more ‘urban’ texture – here she works with producers Hernani Almeida and Blinky Bill (noted for his work with young Kenyan artists) – meaning the mornas get trip-hop touches (electro decorations alongside the lush piano arrangements of yore) while the Afro-funk numbers are frantic and aimed at clubs.

The success of these is variable; ‘Mundu Ka Bu Kaba’ is a hot mess, too busy (the inevitable rock guitar solo dating it). Almeida sounds more comfortable when crooning ‘Sai Bu Bai’ or ‘Mudjei’, her languid voice and exquisite phrasing – Portuguese vowels are caressed and set free – are seductive. ‘Amizadi Novu’ is the best of the uptempo songs, its unhurried funk allowing Almeida to strut. But even here the production is too busy. Next time, whether singing slow or fast, keep things simpler, please.