Esperança (Hope) by Nancy Vieira and Fred Martins sits at No. 1 on World Music Charts Europe for February 2026.
The duo connect Cape Verde and Brazil through a shared Portuguese-language history and long-standing cultural ties. Martins connects Cape Verdean morna to Brazilian bossa nova through a common sense of saudade.
Vieira and Martins first met in 2013. Martins credits the introduction to a pianist friend. He later invited Vieira to appear on a session recorded in Portugal.
Esperança is their first full album together after years of concerts and recordings. The arrangement stays minimal. Most tracks feature only vocals and guitar. A guest appearance on charango appears on the third track.
Vieira and Martins say they chose songs with themes of empathy and mutual care. One example comes from “A Paz Que Nasce (The Peace That Comes),” which includes the lines: “The bread that is shared becomes a song” and “The hand that reaches out overcomes the cannon.”
Credits: Fred Martins (vocals, guitar); Nancy Vieira (vocals). Guest: Jorge Cervantes (charango).
February 2026 Chart
Nancy Vieira & Fred Martins (Cape Verde/Brazil) – Esperança – Galileo
Muluken Mellesse (Ethiopia) – Ethiopiques 31 – Buda Musique
Either/Orchestra + Ethiopian Guests (Ethiopia/Usa) – Nalbandian The Ethiopian – Ethiopiques 32 – Buda Musique
Júlia Kozáková (Slovakia) – Manuša Ii – Cpl-Music
Syran Mbenza (DR Congo) – Rumba Africa – Hysa Productions
Lina & Marco Mezquida (Portugal/Spain) – O Fado – Galileo
Teija Niku (Finland) – Tovi – Self Released
Sarakina (Poland) – Suspended In The Mist – Self Released
Livia Mattos (Brazil) – Verve – Yb Music
Senduki (Italy) – Strania – Alfa Music
Xabi Aburruzaga (Spain) – Bask – Dnd
Dorota Barová (Czech Republic) – Píseň Pro Mi – Animal Music
N’Faly Kouyaté (Guinea/Belgium) – Finishing – Namun Records
Wör & Kongero (Belgium/Sweden) – Songbooks Live – Nordic Notes
Nusantara Beat (The Netherlands/Indonesia) – Nusantara Beat – Glitterbeat
Gao Hong (China) – Symphony Of Self – Arc Music
Noura Mint Seymali (Mauritania) – Yenbett – Glitterbeat
Le Vent du Nord (Canada) – Voisinages – La Compagnie Du Nord
Ceuzany (Cape Verde) – No Tchal Te Li – Harmonia
Saodaj (France, Reunion Island) – Loder La Vi – Buda Musique
More about the chart: https://wmce.de
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central