One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
CéU at Temple Bar on Saturday + CD Review
Show Date: Saturday 4/14/2007
Venue: Temple Bar, Santa Monica
$15 @ 10:00 p.m.
Artist: CéU
Album: CéU
Label: Six Degrees Records
On April 14, CéU (pronounced “say-ew”), the talented young Brazilian singer/songwriter, debuts in Santa Monica at the Temple Bar to celebrate the release of her self-titled debut album, co-released by Six Degrees Records and Starbucks Entertainment.
If you like or are interested in exploring contemporary Brazilian music this is a show that’s not to be missed. CéU and her five-piece band will bring her electronica-tinged samba, reggae, and jazz to life.
Great, you think, another beautiful female Brazilian vocalist – but CéU’s talents go beyond pretty Portugese croonings. She’s a talented multi-instrumentalist that has presented us with an updated and original take on Latin sounds that even the most insulated suburban American is familiar with through the osmosis of pop culture.
Her self-titled offering has fifteen tracks that range from subtly turntable scratched tunes like Roda, which is excellent, to a splendid almost-traditional and multi-rhythm samba, Samba Na Sola. She even does a remarkable cover of Bob Marley’s Concrete Jungle; she keeps it reggae but it’s subdued and very organic sounding. Most of the songs have some kind of dub and/or electronica seasoning but the influence is tasteful, and never enough to overwhelm any other element in the song.
What you notice most about CéU is her voice. It’s a young voice but huskier, sexier, and somehow more substantial, or at least more unique than the voices of other her more established predecessors: Bebel Gilberto, Marisa Monte, etc.
Sponsored message
Thankfully Saturday will get up into the 70s, a hint of warmth that will make us look forward to the heavy heat of summer which is exactly what this album reminds me of. It’s sultry and humid, makes me think of tropical drinks, Brazilian beaches and their denizens. For a quick summer vacation head to Santa Monica Saturday night and to prolong that feeling, pick up this CD.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
