Senga

Portuguese singer-songwriter Inês Loubet spent five years travelling from Portugal through Brazil, to London, inspiring this, her debut album. It’s a jazzy-samba compilation, featuring artists met on her travels and inspired, too, by live performances alongside MPB superstars Gilberto Gil and João Bosco. To say that the result is pleasant, easy listening might be damning with faint praise. With Loubet’s velvety vocal tones, however, it has a catchy retro vibe, reminiscent of Brazil’s ground-breaking tropicália era, evocative of the likes of Marisa Monte and Elis Regina.

As light and airy as she sounds, though, Inês Loubet sings from the heart, on deep themes in Senga; from love and grief to the essence of contemporary womanhood. Prominent Brazilian musicians on the album include percussionist Jansen Santana, bassist Julio de Castro and vocalist Peu Meurray. Plus, Ruta Sipola on flute; as well as Jake Burgess on tenor sax, and string instrumentalist Greg Sanders, a long-term collaborator from London.

All tracks are consistent and slick, if a tad repetitive. Single ‘Olha o Rio’ is a samba-rich tribute to the carnival of Rio de Janeiro and the stand-out ‘Sab Sabim’, sees Peu Meurray joining Loubet on vocals, creating harmonies of depth and vitality.