Synthesize the Soul: Astro-Atlantic Hypnotica from the Cape Verde Islands 1973-1988

Fans of Cape Verdean music will be familiar with its typical lack of drums and use of gently strummed cavaquinho, so this compilation of dance floor-orientated music made by musicians in the diaspora will come as something of a surprise.

The 18 tracks demonstrate a reasonable variety of arrangements, often adding strummed and/or picked electric guitar, kit drums, brass and real percussion instruments (rather than synthesized) on top of the liberally employed electronic keyboards. Disco and house beats often elaborate the funaná and coladeira rhythms that are staple dance rhythms of traditional Cape Verdean music, though purists might insist that this music doesn't actually need pimping up. The best aspect of this selection is the fact that there are at least no soulless remixes by foreign DJs who have no real connection to the music.