Making music that effortlessly blurs the lines between genres and geography, culture and country, and even wanders through more than one language, Lourdes Pita has always felt like a maker of truly world music. And I use that term not in the sense of a music genre but as someone who genuinely isn’t constricted by any human demarcations and so makes music that is not only of this world, but seemingly for this world.
If the titular opener is a suitably soulful and seductive piece, drifting rather than driving, using grace as much as groove, a sophisticated celebration of love, “Courage to Live,” which follows, proves that she is just as adept with more driven music, here, venturing into the fringes of alt-rock, though never forgetting her sense of infectiousness and sensitivity.
“Treasures of the Heart” is a gorgeously soulful ballad, timeless and poignant, a reminder of the things that matter in this increasingly dark world, “Coming Home” is built on the gentle sway of latin grooves and “Part of the Solution” blends everything – folk and rock and soul and pop – into a song that advocates doing the right thing, being constructive, understanding, empathetic…loving, rather than taking the easier or darker option.
As always, Lourdes Pita has given us a scintillating album, one that not only promotes the better traits of humanity through her words but also feels like a sonic act of unity, thanks to the globe-trotting array of sounds she weaves together. That might seem like a small act of musical rebellion, but as someone famous once said, we are all just bricks in the wall. Soul Dance is the sound of that wall being built higher.