Back catalogue: Broken Beat/Nu Jazz/Nu Soul

Review: Novela by Brazilian songstress Ceu is a collaborative masterpiece, bringing together diverse musicians to craft an analog-driven, richly textured album. Produced by Pupillo and Adrian Younge, Novela features contributions from LadyBug Mecca, Loren Oden, Jensine Benitez, and DJ/producer Frankie Reyes. Opening with 'Raiou,' a 70s-inspired dramatic piece featuring Ladybug Mecca, the album sets a soulful tone. 'Cremosa' follows with its vibrant chords, slick guitar riffs, and a hypnotic groove.'Gerando na Alta,' on the other hand, is a mellow duet with Franco-Senegalese singer Anaiis which explores sisterhood over lush rhythmic grooves and bilingual lyrics. 'Crushinho' delivers cinematic strings and Ceu's emotive vocals. 'Into my Novela,' featuring Loren Oden and Jensine Benitez, is about the suspense of TV dramas without scripts, while 'Mucho Oro' is a slow ballad about self-expression and love. 'High na Cachu' infuses a reggae bounce with Ceu's whispery vocals to great success. 'Bua Bua' features the amazing Frankie Reyes, adding to the harmony. The album closes with the solemn 'Corp e Colo,' featuring Nando Reis and Kleber Lucas, and the anthemic 'Reescreve,' which addresses Brazil's turbulent history with thought-provoking lyrics. Novela brilliantly melds Brazilian culture, bossa nova, soul, funk and cinematic elements into a dynamic, bold album that strays from the norm.