Classics of My Soul

Like his compatriot Bonga, Waldemar Bastos is an Angolan in exile – living in Portugal after fleeing his homeland when it became immersed in civil war in the 1980s. But whilst Bonga’s music is potently political, passionately sung and underpinned with African rhythms, Bastos’ is lyrical, with pizzicato guitars, gentle bass and percussion serving as a backdrop to the singer’s remarkable voice, which at times gently croons and at others sweepingly and effortlessly soars. His sound has as much in common with Cape Verdean singers like Teofilo Chantre as his fellow Angolans.

Classics of My Soul, as the title suggests, showcases songs from Bastos’ extensive repertory. The album is dominated by ballads like ‘Teresa Ana’, which sounds like a mix of Chico Buarque and Bana, to ‘Muxima’, on which Bastos’ voice oscillates between reflective intimacy and passionate power.

Most songs are as carefully crafted and effortlessly digestible as a box of hand-made Belgian chocolates. A few are a little over sweet – the hauntingly melancholic ‘Aurora’ is spoilt by syrupy strings and the sweepingly melodramatic ‘N’duva’ is tainted by Keiko Matsui’s saccharine, smooth-jazz piano.

As a whole, the album has an intimate bossa nova bar feel, which is accentuated by the slick, rich production from Grammy-nominated composer Derek Nakamoto, who has worked with artists as diverse as Michael Jackson, Michael Bolton, Will Smith and Angela Luna. It’s a pleasant listen, but one that leaves you longing for a little of the rawness which Bastos is capable of when playing live.