The set featured music was from her first two albums Tzenni and Arbina released by Gliitterbeat as well as newer songs the band plans to record this fall in Mauritania. The label site offers this on the songs meaning: Many of the songs on Arbina call out to the divine, asking for grace and protection. “Arbina” is a name for God. The album carries a message about reaching beyond oneself to an infinite spiritual source, while learning to take the finite human actions to necessary to affect reality on earth. The concept of sëbeu, or that which a human can do to take positive action on their destiny, is animated throughout.
Elida Almeida at the Lincoln Center Atrium with Hernani Almeida - Guitar; Diego Gomes - Keyboards & Accordion; Nelly Cruz - bass; and Magik Santiago - drums
300 miles of the Atlantic ocean separates the Cape Verdean from its neighbor Mauritania, musically the distance is greater. Culturally it draws on West African and Portuguese elements Elida Almeida's set sung in Kriolu, featured mostly original songs that touched on several traditional rhythms found in the islands, funana, batuka, coladeira, morna as well as latin jazz over the course of her Atrium set.
Elida Almeida at the Lincoln Center Atrium with Hernani Almeida - Guitar; Diego Gomes - Keyboards & Accordion; Nelly Cruz - bass; and Magik Santiago - drums
The rhythms merge and flow in her compositions "Sapatinha" invoked funana and featured the accordian of Diego Gomes and the lyrics recalled her growing up on the island of Santago; "Kontam" a ballad with all the saudade of a morna, and Nlibra di Bo (batuca) both written after a breakup; and on the Stunning "Bersu d'Oru" a carnival like rhythm merged into a latin jazz groove.
Elida Almeida at the Lincoln Center Atrium with Hernani Almeida - Guitar; Diego Gomes - Keyboards & Accordion; Nelly Cruz - bass; and Magik Santiago - drums
Elida Almeida at the Lincoln Center Atrium
Elida Almeida at the Lincoln Center Atriumwith Hernani Almeida - Guitar; Diego Gomes - Keyboards & Accordion; Nelly Cruz - bass; and Magik Santiago - drums