Mariza is a striking appearance: she is tall in stature, has cropped and bleached frizzy hair and is dressed in creations by the Portuguese designer Joo Rôlo. But above all she impresses with her exceptionally beautiful voice. Mariza was born in Mozambique, but came to Portugal at the age of three. In Lisbon she grew up in the Mouraria district, the cradle of fado. That is how she naturally grew
… up in the fado tradition. In 2000 she received the prestigious annual Best Voice of Fado award. Mariza's debut album Fado Em Mim has been released on the Dutch label World Connection. It contains both traditional fado songs and new songs in a modern fado style. With her modest and soulful interpretation, Mariza deeply moves the listener. The accompaniment is brief: a Portuguese guitar, classical guitar, double bass, piano and occasionally cello or percussion. Mariza is a great talent that we hope to hear a lot more about. The second disc contains seven live tracks that were recorded in England during the WOMAD 2002 festival. (SvdP)more
