Afro-Portuguese Odyssey
click the image to get it in cd-cover size
| Release Date: |
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| Label: |
Putumayo World Music |
| Rating: |
4.5 |
Description: Showcasing styles of music from African countries colonized by Portugal, this compilation doesn't feature the most famed musicians of the representative nations, but it's a uniformly strong collection nonetheless. Cape Verde's
morna and
coladeira, Angola's
semba and
kizomba, Guinea's
gumbé and Mozambique's
marrabenta are among the genres of music represented. Standout Guinean vocalist Eneida Marta brings a laid-back maturity to her phrasing on "Na Bu Mons." Bidente's "Considjo di Garandis" is an impressive mix of African blues and flamenco. Ruy Mingas is a blast from the past who hadn't recorded in 30 years, as is Zé Manel, whose slow bluesy "Bu Fidjo Femia" is culled from 2001's
Maron di Mar, his first album in nearly 20 years. This blend of Portuguese and indigenous cultures didn't happen under the best of circumstances, but there is no doubt that it's produced beautiful music.
--Tad Hendrickson
Tracklist of Afro-Portuguese Odyssey
Reviews:
A beautiful Portuguese journey
Portuguese-speaking Lusophone culture is best known globally through the music of Brazil, although this collection traces its lesser-known African crosscurrents, with music from Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Mozambique, and contemporary Portugal. Featured artists include Ze Manel, Jovino Dos Santos, Dulce Pontes, the Mendes Brothers, and Paulo Flores, whose individual albums can also be tracked down if you are diligent. The opening tracks are a bit florid for my tastes, but the simpler acoustic numbers, by folks like Ruy Mingas, Maneas Costa and Agusto Cegos, are quite lovely. A good introductory overview, although there are other albums, such as the SOUL OF CAPE VERDE collection that may move you more. But this disc may be of special interest for anyone seeking artists a bit off the beaten track.
A Wonderful Discovery
This is truly a lovely collection of lesser-known music and musicians from Africa. Most African collections seem to focus on French-speaking Africa or South Africa, and while there are similarities in this CD to some styles in those areas of Africa, these are unique. If you are familiar with traditional Portuguese music from Portugal, not Brazil, you may be surprised to recognize common threads in some of these selections. Interesting and informative liner notes also include individual photos of each artist. Wonderful beat - my kids dance to it!
Great World Music
I wanted to branch out and experience different types of music so I randomly seleceted this CD - if only all my other random selections of music turned out to be this fabulous! I play it all the time and have been inspired to try Putumayo's other CDs - so far this one is the best. The Afro-Portuguese Odyssey is a wonderful collection that I love to have on during dinner with company and it always gets a lot of attention.
