Cesária Évora : ses derniers trésors inédits dans l’album posthume “Reina da Morna”

Fifteen years after the death of Cesária Évora, the iconic voice of Cape Verde, a new album surfaces, revealing previously unheard recordings that shed fresh light on her artistic legacy. The label Lusafrica, which closely managed the late singer’s catalog, has unveiled these archival tracks under the title "Reina da Morna."

This posthumous collection consists of recordings made at various points in Évora’s career but left out from her official albums. According to sources at telerama.fr, many of these pieces were originally set aside by Évora herself during her album finalizations. Some were incomplete, lacking instrumental additions such as saxophone or guitar solos that had been planned but never realized.

Despite these unfinished elements, the decision by Lusafrica and Sony to release the tracks as they are offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the creative process of the artist. The album captures the melancholic essence of morna—the emotive genre synonymous with Cape Verde—and the lively local rhythms that influenced her music.

Among the standout surprises is the track "Nos Contradança," a spirited tune rooted in the traditional dance style of Santo Antão, one of Cape Verde’s islands. This song also features Évora singing in French, a notable departure from her usual Cape Verdean Creole repertoire, and showcases a lighter, less formal side of the singer.

"Reina da Morna" thus expands the known dimensions of Évora’s artistry, juxtaposing her deeply nostalgic ballads with more upbeat and experimental pieces. It provides fans and scholars alike an opportunity to explore facets of her work that had remained in obscurity.

José Da Silva, Lusafrica’s founder and long-time producer of Évora’s projects, played a key role in unearthing these recordings. His efforts in combing through archives have brought to light these musical treasures, ensuring that Évora’s voice continues to resonate beyond her lifetime.

While the album does not include newly completed arrangements, its raw and authentic presentation is a testament to the enduring emotional power of Évora’s performances. The recordings maintain the integrity and evocative quality that made her a global ambassador of Cape Verdean music.

Details about the exact recording dates and the full scope of the sessions remain limited, but the release is significant in preserving and celebrating the heritage of morna music. As one of its most beloved figures, Cesária Évora’s posthumous album enriches the narrative of her contributions and preserves her influence in the world music scene.

Overall, "Reina da Morna" stands as a compelling archival release that invites listeners to engage with the subtle nuances and breadth of Évora’s oeuvre, reaffirming her status as the "queen" of Cape Verdean song even years after her passing.