Hoje é Assim, Amanhã Não Sei

This album consolidates Ricardo Ribeiro's position as the finest male fado singer of his generation. Born in the early 80s, Ribeiro has a wonderful way of putting the words across, and his voice has character and range way beyond his years. It's no surprise, then, to see musicians of the stature of José Manuel Neto (on Portuguese guitar), Carlos Manuel Proença (viola) and Daniel Pinto (bass guitar) among the considerable talent lined up alongside him for this latest outing.

The well-judged collection of compositions unfolds with a restrained tempo and becomes more ruminative yet quietly powerful as the album progresses. It encompasses classic numbers such as ‘Rondel Alentejo’ (from Amália Rodrigues’ repertoire) as well as less conventional material such as ‘Chanson d’Automne’ by Paul Verlaine, which is presented with just piano accompaniment. Brisker and more upbeat fare is provided by ‘Fadinho Alentejo’, which features refrains from choral group Ganhões Castro Verde. Perhaps, though, the emotional epicentre of the album is ‘Serenata do Adeus’, which begins with a soulful trumpet solo and takes Ribeiro to the lowest range of his voice. It's a poignant song – subtle and utterly convincing.