Maria de Barros was born in Senegal and spent the first 13 years of her life in Mauritania. She credits her creative spirit to the homeland of her parents, Cape Verde, a former Portuguese colony. Indeed, Barros’ music bears more resemblance to traditional Cape Verdean music than anything else, given Cape Verde’s musical connections to both Portugal and Brazil. Barros sings a pair of mornas (written by her grandfather, Djedjinho)—”DjaBraba nha Terra Natal” and “Triste Agonia”—with wonderful feeling. She acquits herself quite well on the boleros “La Gloria Eres Tú” and “Manha de Carnaval.” Barros’ performance shines with particular brilliance when she works the coladeira style (think salsa), especially the more uptempo coladeiras, including “So Um Melodia.” “Nha Mundo” means “my world.” De Barros’ musical world is well worth a visit.—PVV