Tropix

2016 release from the Brazilian singer. One of the persistent challenges facing artists is keeping things fresh. Céu seems to have no problem with this, however. In her quest for a more upbeat, rhythm-driven album, she employed the production help of French native Hervé Salters, aka General Elektriks, who cut his teeth playing keyboards for Femi Kuti and playing with Blackalicious and Lyrics Born, and Pupillo, drummer of one of a longstanding Brazilian feature, Naçao Zumbi, as well as his country's most in-demand producer. Working with them was a dream come true, says Céu. They were able to translate her vision into reality with Tropix, which she says is a combination of 'tropical' and 'pixel'. 'Somehow the pixel became an inspiration,' she says. 'A pixel is a small part of a big thing defragmentation as a concept. That s also why the album has a lot of arpeggiator keyboard, to capture that sound.' Not that there aren't any guitars. One kicks off a beautiful tribute of a cover from post-punk band Fellini, also from Sao Paulo. The 1989 original Chico Buarque song honoring the legendary singer, writer, and cultural critic is frenetic and driving with a strong touch of Joy Division. Céu sits back on the groove, keeping the eighties vibe intact with a well-placed synthesizer, crooning in English over the exploding harmony. Born with such a passionate love for the music and cultures of the planet, Céu has taken it all in and returned it with one of the twenty-first century's most distinctive voices. Tropix is a stunning effort created by a woman who truly knows no boundaries.