Horizonte

This is an unusual and adventurous project in which two bands have been formed in order to re-imagine a mixture of some obscure, some forgotten, and some previously unreleased songs from Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau. The concept of the album is a tribute to Amílcar Cabral – an inspirational figure who was instrumental in the struggle for independence and the unity of both countries. The two bands include the cream of young and veteran musicians from both countries with a mixture of male and female lead singers.

The music is a joyous collection of some of the different rhythms that are known as gumbé- the traditional music particularly popular in the lively district of Bissau called Bandé. This is complemented by the funaná style, with its punchy accordions, and popular on Gamboa Beach of Cape Verde’s capital Praia. Both styles are typical of music from the Lusophonic countries in the way they engage elements of African, Brazilian, Caribbean and Latin music. Some particularly good female voices are featured, notably Débora Paris from the Cape Verde band and Iragrett Tavares from the Bissau-Guinean contingent. Also the use of Congolese-flavoured guitars help to make this a very enjoyable and musically enlightening experiment.