It's an admirable idea, connecting the music of Portugal and Brazil; they are, after all, cousins, if not even closer, connected not only by language, but by the sea paths that have taken people back and forth for centuries. The emphasis, though, is firmly on the Portuguese side (11 of the 14 tracks), with the Brazilian cuts coming from popular writers like
Caetano Veloso and
Chico Buarque.
Teresa is an accomplished singer, and she's assembled a small, supple band to help realize her vision. But in the main, it never seems to completely connect. When she attempts fado -- admittedly a singular, demanding genre -- on tracks like "Gaivota," the necessary underlying passion seems absent (curiously, one of the best pieces is the more up-tempo Brazilian "Portugal -- Fado Tropical.") She's equally comfortable on "Laurindinha," another song with some rhythmic kick behind it. Somehow, the project never seems to become cohesive, and while there are satisfying moments, ultimately it never quite gels. ~ Chris Nickson