Maputo Electronico

This new Maputo Electronico combination involves the musical traditions of Mozambique and Tunisia, filtered through a French electronic gauze, its Portuguese lyrics sometimes suggesting a modern Brazilian groove, its writing and production flecked with elements of Jamaican dub and reggae. This reflects the backgrounds of electronicist and oud player Smadj (a Tunisian living in France), guitarist and vocalist Chico António and singer Rhodalia Silvestre (this last pair from Mozambique, with roots in bordering Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, in Silvestre’s case).

This complex lineage is reflected in their multihued songs, recorded in Maputo and assembled then mixed in Lisbon. Everywhere is everything. Deep basslines lurk throughout, samples and shapes dropped strategically, as António’s rustic growling contrasts with Silvestre’s soulful responses. It’s difficult to unstitch the lineage, and this trio probably enjoys that puzzle. There’s fleeting piano and metal percussion, oud coming to the fore, guitar swapping from acoustic to electric. ‘U Ta Phela’ has a bluesy guitar figure at its heart, but is soon enveloped by hard electronic bass frequencies, then ‘Uma Questao de Tempo’ has a singalong quality, with a reggae feel. The Smadj production style will greatly please lovers of Adrian Sherwood and Bill Laswell’s work.