For today's Global Hit, we're going to spend some time with Sara Tavares.

She's a singer and composer from Portugal.

But her family roots reach south to Cape Verde.

I spoke with Sara Tavares when she visited our studios recently.

We talked about her music -- including some of the songs on her latest CD -- called Balance'.

MULLINS: I like what you did at the beginning of that song. Where did the vocalizing come from?

TAVARES: That comes from a rhythm from one of the islands of Cape Verde. It's called funana. I relate this a lot with some of Michael Jackson's songs from his album "Off the Wall."

MULLINS: Many of your songs are about love, faith, and all things comfortable to you. Was that your intent when you wrote the music?

TAVARES: Yes, this album is a lot about self-esteem. For someone to be proud of who they are. No matter how mixed they are, to be proud of that. I think the title track best represents that.