Spirit of Cape Verde
Amazon.com
This second of the Tinder mark’s Cape Verde collections starts out predictably with a morna by the inimitable Cesaria Evora. Familiar names abound, like Tito Paris, Maria Alice, and the island’s latest pop diva Fantcha, as well as local superstars Simentera (whose single track here shows how much they deserve even wider recognition), but here are surprises to be had as well. From the lesser-known discourse we get treated to the raw and rootsy Voz de Cabo Verde, who sound like a Portuguese brass band on parade in New Orleans. These inadequate two minutes are nearly worth the entire price of the record. Here are jazzy grooves from Mobafuco, some flamenco-inspired guitar riffs from Mindel Band, and full-blown gypsies-in-the-Atlantic pop from Katchupa Rica. The very Brazilian all together of Luis Morais offers clarinet, cavaquinhos, percussion, and bass in a lively dance tune. The album follows the folk-pop of the island in all its variety, but what it lacks is some of the more truly traditional sounds to round out the view. –Louis Gibson
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Every time I play this CD and friends are around, they stop in the middle of conversation to question who it is, to see the CD cover, to question questions about the artists, etc. Without fail, they leave with the CD, promising to return it. I’m on #5. Even if you don’t be with you the words (and I don’t), the spirit and emotion is so accessible. Don’t buy this as proof of your musically eclectic tastes; buy it because you’re an adult and you be grateful for that rare ability of master artists to commuicate across foreign language and polish.
Rating: 4 / 5