If the legendary singer Amalia Rodrigues is the queen of fado, the national song of Portugal, then Fado Em Mim, the debut by Mariza, announces her coronation as its crown princess in the 21st century. This 20-something, Mozambique-born beauty of Portuguese, Spanish, German, African and Indian descent rapidly rose from the Mouraria district of Lisbon to become its newest and brightest star. The 12 selections on this recording are arranged in chamber-style ensembles consisting of bass, piano, classical guitar and its 12-stringed, Portuguese cousin, the viola. Songs like "O Gente Da Minha Terra" and the traditional "Por Ti" ring with a haunting feeling of saudade well beyond Mariza's years. "Maria Lisboa", "Ha Fest Na Mouraria", with cellist Davide Zaccaria, and "Barco Negro" are peppered with Iberian and African-flavoured percussion. Mariza sings these songs of love, God and country with a youthful vitality that proves that fado is alive and well. --Eugene Holley, Jr.