Cavaquinho Cantado

The cavaquinho is an ancestor of the ukulele and has a long-standing tradition in Portuguese music, particularly in the northern region of Minho. It travelled to Brazil, where it also became a regular in popular music. Apart from Júlio Pereira's exemplary work, it's not an instrument that usually gets put under the spotlight in Portugal any more. It plays a pivotal role in a series of traditional Portuguese song forms, but it remains a team player rather than a star. But the young Daniel Pereira has picked it up and dedicated a whole record to it.

Born in Braga, Minho, Pereira first started playing at age eight and quickly turned into a versatile interpreter of string instruments. Along the way, Júlio Pereira (no relation) noticed him, believing him to be an ideal musician to guarantee his work on the cavaquinho does not continue to be a solitary job.

Cavaquinho Cantado doesn't ignore tradition, but tries to expand on its popular potential, putting together a group of songs that balance themselves between the folk and pop worlds. For better or for worse, there is nothing revolutionary to be found here. Still, Daniel provides us with a charming introduction to an off-neglected little instrument.