Norcabo

From Cape Verde, Ary Morais presents Norcabo, a portrait of his present life in Norway, showcasing the sounds of his home infused with influences from the Caribbean and (apparently) Norwegian folk music. If a Norwegian folk influence is there, it is subtle to the point of inaudibility, but what is more present is the story of journey and of being a conduit for one's cultural roots when in disparate surroundings. This is a narrative Morais shares with Norwegian-Nigerian singer Monica Ifejilika, who joins him on ‘Pxa Na Ela’ singing in Creole and English; emphasising the feeling of a shared journey, rather than just one man's experience.

The Latin influence on Cape Verdean music is apparent from the first track, ‘Dia de Chuva’. Moving through the album we hear familiar sounds from Cuba and Brazil: polyrhythmic percussion, plucked strings, bossa nova harmonies, unison group vocals, etc. This is pretty much where this album stays, but the classic reggae feel of the last track, ‘+1 Grogue’, hints at a wider island theme in Morais’ music, whether intentional or not, and one can't help but picture these tropical rhythms wafting through the frozen north.