Sara Tavares

Born to Cape Verdean parents and raised in Portugal, Tavares defies what her heritage might imply. She is not a sad-eyed interpreter of morna like the great Cesaria Evora, nor is she a dramatic fado singer from the Mariza mold. Tavares is more of a soul singer, as heard on "Xinti," her new album that blurs the line between African rhythms and contemporary R&B and pop. - James Reed, Globe Staff