O Primeiro Canto
Armed with a tape recorder, Portuguese chanteuseDulce Ponteswandered her native country collecting sonic inspiration for her fifth  and finest recording,O Primeiro Canto. Deeply influenced by  fado, contemporary, and traditional folk song, Pontes approached this  recording nakedly, distilling its sound to that of strictly acoustic  accompaniment, a bold move which allows her superbly crystalline vocals  to weave the album's through-line. Far more enamored with passion and  tactility rather than technique, Pontes organically creates a holistic  emotional posture that is malleable, romantic, and sensually awake,  suffering not from lack of finesse. Pontes is in possession of a  remarkably facile gift: a voice which rings true with each gorgeously  stunning note.--Paige La Grone