National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

Bau, whose real name is Rufino Almeida, is a virtuoso of the 12-string guitar, ukulele and violin. His music is at the same time syncopated, vigorous, nostalgic and intimate.

Bau is the arranger and band leader for Cesaria Evora, and has been the architect of many of the best known melodic flourishes in the Cape Verdean canon.

Here, on an all-instrumental album, he follows in the pattern set by singer Fantcha, hedging his bets by alternating stately, gorgeous, fado-based numbers with bouncier, Gipsy Kings-style upbeat tracks. —Courtesy Calabash Music