CD Review: Da Cruz - "Nova Estaçāo EP1&2"

Artist:Da Cruz
Album: Nova Estaçāo EP1&2
Label: Six Degrees Records
Release Date: Fall 2007

Listen to the track "Intro (Sao Jorge)":

Nova Estaçāo EP1&2 is another release in the "Emerging Artists" series from the label Six Degrees Records. This series is part of Six Degrees' efforts to get new and innovative artists out in front of people as quickly as possible and inexpensively as well - these are electronic releases that you can pick and choose your way through. In the other Emerging Artists releases that we've reviewed all have been innovative and some have been outstanding but this Da Cruz release is a bit different as it is most similar to artists that make up the Six Degrees roster.

Da Cruz is a team highlighted by Brazilian vocalist Mariana Da Cruz and Swiss producer Ane H. and the result of this teamwork is a kind of Brazilian pop that has some new elements but is heavily reliant on standard latin american fare. On some songs Da Cruz busts out some nice beefy low end synth which plays off well against the syncopated organic percussion rhythms. Virtually all the tracks feature excellent, and much more prominent in the mix than I'm used to, guitarwork by musician Oliver Husmann.

EP1 by Da Cruz starts out incredibly strong with their "Intro" (listen above) and keeps the energy going for the first few songs but then I thought songs kind of weakened a bit until the 8th track, "Vida Antiga". Unfortunately Da Cruz chose to end EP2 with three ballads, and although they're well-played they aren't remarkable and left me feeling a little let down. "Intro" and "Vida Antiga" are truly interesting, the rest of the two EPs, while merely predictable, is entirely acceptable to fans of Brazilian pop but if you are looking to get wowed - here's a chance to take advantage of Six Degrees' electronic offering by picking and choosing which tracks you want. As usual, support artists by buying your music if you like it.