by Alvaro NederThe opening album of Rita Ribeiro for a new label shows the singer from Maranhão is performing even better, paying tribute to the expressive names of her home state, like the 80-year old Antônio Vieira, author of "Tem Quem Queira" and "Cocada," from her first, self-titled CD Rita Ribeiro, and of "Banho Cheiroso," included here. The CD, released soon before she went to the Montreaux Festival to share a night with Milton Nascimento, Ney Matogrosso, Zeca Baleiro, and Chico César, is a blend of new songs and the hits from the first album, revealing a rare concern in the continuing pursuit of her ideals and in the avoidance of commercial formulas. The new songs -- many from new, unknown composers -- display the courage to invest in a personal path: her own "Na Gira" (a tribute to Clementina de Jesus and Clara Nunes), "Filhos da Precisão" (Erasmo Dibel, from Maranhão), "Déjà Vu" (Natalia Mallo, from Argentina), and "Pérolas Aos Povos" (Isla Jay, also responsible for the "pitós" of the cover). But her repertory doesn't consist only in new composers' songs. Zeca Baleiro, Carlos Careqa, Arrigo Barnabé, Jorge Ben Jor, Chico César, and the folklore of Maranhão also are present, interpreted with energy, sensitivity, and expressivity. Tracks like "Mana Chica," with the sonority of the old upcountry bandstands serving as a humorous vehicle for the serious swing ridden by her authoritative voice; "Banho Cheiroso" and its delicious acoustic samba rendition; "Mambo da Dor" with its strong, lacerated lyrics; and "Vendedor de Bananas" and its contagious samba swing a la Jor show an artist who is reaching excellence in the challenging world of singing, and who has already displayed unusually good taste in her choice of repertory and arrangement.