Mariza is an artist known as much for the striking contrast of her snow blonde hair, as her impact on Portugal's Fado music. On Terra, you'll find no shortage of smokey, Latin drama, and there is no way to mistake it, these are pure Latin sounds constructed of Mariza's strong vocals, Spanish acoustic guitar, and soft percussive accents.

1. Ja me deixou
2. Minh alma
3. Rosa branca
4. Recurso
5. Beijo de saudade
6. Vozes do mar
7. Fronteira
8. Alfama
9. Tasco da mouraria
10. Alma de vento
11. Se eu mandasse nas palavras
12. As guitarras
13. Pequenas verdades
14. Morada aberra
15. Smile

The sound of Terra isn't a blend of anything electronic. At times its very Latin folk foundations take over, while at others you'll almost be moved to grab your partner for a tango, or you might imagine yourself in a dark, Argentinian bar in 1924. More often than not, the leading element is Mariza's voice and melodies. Born in Mozambique, growing up in Portugal singing gospel, soul and other styles, and later embracing Fado, which she then blended with popular Brazilian rhythms, Mariza has certainly adopted all the world around her and distilled it into her music. She even ends the album with the only song bearing English lyrics, the old Charlie Chaplin standard "Smile".

There is a steady rhythm to her music on this album that make it entirely enjoyable to just listen to from start to finish. The few moments when her melodies take on a western pop-driven melody are the album's weakest, but in truth, they are the rare exception to otherwise beautifully structured Portuguese vocal phrases, mixed seamlessly with Flamenco, Brazilian and African influences. Throw this album in a mix with Federico Aubele, Natalia Clavier, Bebel Gilberto, and Rosalia De Souza and just enjoy.

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