Fado Em Mim
If the legendary singerAmália Rodriguesis the queen of fado, the national song genre of Portugal, this debut by  Mariza announces her coronation as its crown princess of the 21st century. This  twentysomething, Mozambique-born beauty of Portuguese, Spanish, German, African,  and Indian descent rapidly rose from the Mouraria district of Lisbon to become  fado's newest and brightest star. The 12 selections on this recording are  arranged in chamber-style ensembles consisting of bass, piano, classical guitar,  and its 12-stringed, Portuguese cousin, the Portuguese viola. Songs like "O  Gente Da Minha Terra" and the traditional "Por Ti" ring with a haunting feeling  ofsaudadewell beyond Mariza's years. "Maria Lisboa," "Ha Fest Na  Mouraria" (with cellist Davide Zaccaria), and "Barco Negro" are peppered with  Iberian and African-flavored percussion. Mariza sings these songs of love, God,  and country with a youthful vitality that proves that fado is alive and  well.--Eugene Holley Jr.