Angola Soundtrack – The Unique Sound from Luanda 1968-1976

With its colonial links to Portugal, it is unsurprising that the music of Angola bears remarkable similarities to rhythms heard in the music of Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique and, of course, Portugal itself. However it is Angola's own traditional music that is at the core of the 1960s and 70s popular music collected on this compilation. Rebita, kazukuta, semba (from masemba, meaning to touch bellies), and merengue are all highly infectious local dance rhythms that can be heard amongst the 18 tracks here. The pervasive influence of neighbouring Congo (Zaire) and its sparkling guitar styles is another element that elevates the music on Angola Soundtrack into a different and highly compelling stratosphere.

The inspiration for this collection came from a remarkable series of CD compilations released on the French Buda Musique label some 20 years ago entitled Angola 60s and Angola 70s. Some of the same artists appear here, notably Os Jovens Do Prenda, Os Bongos and Dimba Diangola, whilst others are virtually unknown outside of their Luanda homes and are a complete revelation. The music is predominantly guitar-led with a mixture of rumba, surf, Latin and psychedelic influences. The heavy percussion, with its multiple scrapers, drums, bells and whistles, creates a similarly earthy and spiky atmosphere to Congo's Konono No 1 (albeit without the thumb pianos) who themselves originally come from Angola. Angola Soundtrack comes with a 44-page booklet, which includes a history of Angola's music and which also describes the compiler's fascinating adventures whilst sourcing the material. Written in an unassuming diary-style it makes for a great read, accompanying a release that is ultimately simply stunning.