O Paraiso finds founding members Teresa Salguiero (vocals) and Pedro Ayres Magalhaes (guitar), as well as guitarist
Jose Peixoto, leading a new lineup of
Madredeus, featuring bassist Fernando Judice and keyboardist Carlos Maria Trindade. The result isn't particularly different from the previous lineup, although the rhythms are a little looser than before. What matters, like it did before, is the emotional impact of the music, and how Salguiero's provocative voice blends into the ethereal instrumentals, which borrow freely from different world musics. It's not a perfect album, but it is a fascinating one, and that's more than enough to prove that
Madredeus hasn't lost anything by switching rhythm sections. If anything, they have gained strength. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine