Kavita Shah - JOIA

"JOIA" available on all digital streaming platforms: https://folkalist.lnk.to/joia

FULL ALBUM "Cape Verdean Blues" available at kavitashah.bandcamp.com or https://folkalist.lnk.to/capeverdeanblues

"Joia" by Boy Gé Mendes
Voice: Kavita Shah
Guitars, Ukelele: Bau
Bass: Zé Paris
Percussion: Miroca Paris

Special thanks to the wonderful women of São Vicente & Santo Antão, Cape Verde, who agreed to participate in the filming of this video.

Produced by Kavita Shah for Folkalist Records
Video filmed and edited by Edson Silva D for et_filmes
Graphic Design by Beatriz Salvatierra for Bestudio

Recorded at Le Studio Mindelo, Mindelo, Cape Verde, July 2018 and Atlântico Blue Studio, Lisbon, Portugal, October 2018
Recording Engineers: Jorge Nunes, Pedro Serraninho & Jeremy Loucas

Mixed and mastered by Jeremy Loucas at Sear Sound Studio, New York, NY

https://www.kavitashahmusic.com
https://www.folkalistrecords.com

LYRICS:

(Kriol)
E bolaxinha e dos e sukrinha
K po N ba konxê nha terra Cabo Verde

Joia, kriola, strela
E bo k po N ta subí na séu

E bronz na pele
Kabel d’lor d’sol na Cabo Verde
E noit de luar
k’un moreninha kretxeu

Joia, kriola, strela
E bo k po N ta subí na séu

Bo jentileza ten dusura
Kria melodia y fantazia na nha spiritu
Do-m bo amor fazê-m nha mund feliz
Leva-m ma bo k’e pa N sinti bo kalor

Joia, kriola, strela
E bo k po N ta subí na séu

(English translation)
It’s a cookie, it’s a candy, it’s a sweet
That introduced me to my land of Cape Verde

Jewel, kriola*, star
It’s you who puts me high up in the sky

She’s got tan skin
Blonde hair from the Cape Verdean sun
It’s a moonlit night
With a beloved moreninha*

Jewel, kriola, star…
It’s you who puts me high up in the sky

Your kindness is like honey
It creates melody and fantasy in my spirit
Give me your love, make my world a happy place
Take me with you so I can feel your warmth

Jewel, kriola, star…
It’s you who puts me high up in the sky

*Kriola = a term of endearment for a Cape Verdean, or Kriol, woman
*Moreninha =a term of endearment for a Cape Verdean woman (moreninha is a diminutive of morena, meaning tan-skinned)