One of the more aesthetically minded modern-day fado singers, MÃsia has been carefully cultivating a distinct image and stage presence that stands out amid a field filled with stylish singers. But even with her piquant image, it's hard to ignore MÃsia's spellbinding voice. Singing in Portuguese, this diva potently projects feelings of melancholy, sadness, and romantic longing, which are all cornerstones of this emotional strain of Mediterranean folk music. Ritual, the singer's third domestic release, matches the unbridled beauty of the amazing Paixoes Diagonais, which was issued in 1999. She scales back to a solid acoustic guitar trio (the typical lineup for fado) on Ritual and keeps them on a tight leash, but this only leaves more room for the singer to soar. She carries the load herself on a solo rendition of "Ã Beira da Minha Rua," and it simply reaffirms how much passion and music is packed in this one special voice. --Tad Hendrickson