CeU - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
It's no surprise that Starbucks is behind Brazilian chanteuse CeU's self-titled debut disc. (A co-release with the ever-tasteful Six Degrees Records.) The slinky, soulful sounds would be right at home amid mocha frapuccinos and lattes with extra foam. But CeU is more than a mere coffee-club cutie. Her sexy, assured vocals infuse every song with a come-hither vibe, from the playful "Rainha" to the simmering "10 Contados." The disc also showcases a slightly funky, urban sensibility; and electronic flourishes amplify the modern feel. "Vinheta Dorival" segues from standard guitar licks into gentle percussion rhythms. And a cover of Bob Marley's "Concrete Jungle" is elegant and effortless. Though originally released overseas in 2005, CeU's captivating collection still rings with truth and vibrancy. A truly caffeinated experience. --Joey Guerra

Customer Reviews: Read 35 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Immense Talent, So-So Album June 18, 2007
21 out of 23 found this review helpful

Thanks to Starbucks, I suppose there's no need for background info for Ceu. She's a singer from Brasil that's both amazingly talented and rather beautiful too. Ziriguiboom/Crammed un-earthed another gem here with her, and thanks to Six-Degrees, the USA distribution channel, she's seen loads of publicity that've helped get her warranted notoriety.

So how can an immense talent have a 'so-so' album? Easy. The album starts well with "Lenda", a song first heard last year on Brazilectro 8. It was definitely one of the stand-outs and it shoots her sexiness and amazing voice & attitude to the fore-front. Great intro-track, the perfect mood-setter. That's followed up with "Malemolencia", which is okay but "Roda" came on and it wasn't necessarily what I was expecting... remembering the classic Roda as interpreted by Elis Regina. I quite liked "Vinheto Dorival" though - Ceu shows that above all, she's oozing with class as a singer with amazing range, able to raise and lower pitches in a heart-beat. "Concrete Jungle" was an interesting re-interpretation... not my favorite on the album, and it's one that will ultimately be forgettable, but again her voice saves the day. "Veu Da Noite" was interesting too - splashes of old funk. "O Conco da Cuica" was what seems like a normal thing in Brasil... redoing a classic. But this time, I RREALLY like the way she did it... FAR more so than Da Lata's from a few years ago.

So this isn't that bad of a debut for her. But it could've been so much better, given her voice. The sampling wasn't too bad and admittedly when you listen to this with a fantastic stereo, you do get a better feel of the music. There's no denying that Ceu's one to watch for in the future, if for no other reason than she's got more than enough natural talent. But the problem I did have with the album was that some of the songs were redundant and I hit FF on several tracks before they'd finish because they didn't go anywhere or keep my attention. Still, it's a great debut and I look forward to seeing her sophomore product which should be better. If you like this, do know this isn't completely unique... this has a very strong similarity to the underrated Mylene (Pires). Also check out Apollo Nove, Cibelle, other Ziriguiboom artists, and you may like another young artist named Sabrina Malheiros, daughter of Azymuth's Alex Malheiros, who's on Far Out Records. Lastly, you might also like Democustico.

5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful Brazilian April 10, 2007
20 out of 24 found this review helpful

Many of the songs, lyrics in Portuguese, and its messages can be understood just by the beautiful sounds of her sexy soulful voice. The mood set by the music sways your body to understand what message she's trying to convey. CeU, meaning sky or heaven in Portuguese, is definitely on her way to becoming the next acclaimed Brazilian wonder. She has definitely surpassed Bebel Gilberto!

4 out of 5 stars

Worthwhile but does not live up to Hype April 30, 2007
18 out of 26 found this review helpful

I had never heard Ceu before but I had a chance to see her live. A good performance blistered by a horrible sound mix. I bought her CD at the show in the hope that there would be more and I was right.

The CD is pretty uniformly good as Ceu has an excellent voice that translates into any language. Ceu understandably wants to try to separate herself out from rest of the Brazilian music pack and she does a pretty good job for the most part.

What I don't like is her use of a DJ who does the usual stratchy thing that really does not work on one of her songs and her attempt at geopolitics in the one English language song borrowed from Bob Marley but not really done well.

CEu tries too hard to be cutting edge. I like music on the edge as much as anyone but the rough spots on this CD show well that not all experiments work well. The good news is that with the deletion of two songs this is one pretty good CD.

5 out of 5 stars

One of the funnest, most relaxing CD's that you can buy May 29, 2007
17 out of 19 found this review helpful

I bought this disc after sampling a few songs at the music store, and since then, I cannot stop listening to it. It's infectious and relaxing and just very sunny. I think that I must have played it at least 20 times and it has not gotten old. Her voice is a mix of sultry and sweet. Sometimes her voice reminds me of Erika Badhu, and a few times I heard a little Cassandra Wilson. Excellent CD!!

5 out of 5 stars

Refreshing brasilian music April 24, 2007
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

I don't know why this CD don't have more reviews. I heard Ceu (sky in portuguese) for the first time 2 years ago in a small bar in Sao Paulo called Grazie Dio. She has a beautiful voice and an incredible "presence" on the stage.I bought her CD righ after the show and it stays at my cd player until now. She mix brazilian music (samba/MPB) with modern samples and eletronica. The hole CD are excelent but the highlights songs are: Lenda / Malemolencia / Rainha / Mais um Lamento /Concrete Jungle (beutiful version of Bob's Marley music)/O Ronco da Cuica. If you like BossaCucaNova / Cibelle / Zuco103 / Marcos Valle, don't miss this CD.

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