CD Review: Angel D'Cuba's 'Heritage'

Angel D’Cuba

Heritage
Self-Release

The fiery rhythms and moods of Angel D’Cuba, former lead-singer with the Cuban mega-group, Mezcla, spans several Caribbean styles and melodies over the eleven track release. The music is vibrant and full of horns. The funky rhythms, heavy percussion, and blaring brass make Heritage a must-have recording for the New Year. The music incorporates timba, Mozam-funk, jazz ballads, cumbia, soul ballads, guaracha, samba, reggaeton fusion, soca, songo, and soul-songo genres. The Chicago-based ensemble is full of lively sounds coming from bongos, congas, guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, trumpets, trombone, flugelhorn, flute, sax, bata drums, and others. Anyone with an interest in Caribbean, Latin, Cuban, or energetic dance tunes will love Angel’s soulful vocals and great grooves. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Bonga's 'Hora Kota'

Bonga
Hora Kota
Lusafrica

Angolan-born and raised, Bonga combines the sultry sounds of kizomba, semba, Portuguese folk, and contemporary pop with a gruff voice that is synonymous with Angolan society. Hora Kota, his latest release, continues the Portuguese-tinged compositions with a good dose of Latin jazz, island rhythms, and folk melodies that unite all Portuguese-speaking regions. The thirteen tracks contain the romantic accordion, guitars, percussion, dikanza, congas, bass, harmonica, shekere, double bass, ukulele, flute, bandoneon, and others. If you are a long-time fan or newbie to Angolan music, Bonga should be right at the top of any world music chart. Sample the hot rhythms and melodies shaking up Luanda and beyond. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Best of Bonga

Bonga

Best Of Bonga

Lusafrica

Angola's Bonga has been an iconic fixture in the music of Africa since the 1970's. The result is a timely release of hits spanning some thirty years. There are songs from a selection of prior albums, including his debut release, Angola 72, along with Angola 74, Mulemba Xangola, Kaxexe, Maiorai, and previously unreleased tracks. The influence of Portuguese culture in Angola has shaped the way music is created. Though, Bonga's musical expressionism is steeped in the sounds beyond Angola, including Cape Verde, Portugal, and France. It is difficult to include all the great songs of Bonga on one album, so listeners will find the Best Of... to be an excellent place for new fans to become familiar with Bonga's music. The sultry voice of Cape Verde's Lura adds a special sound to the first track, "Mulemba Xangola". A special remix track, "Kapakiao", is included and takes on an eery trip-hop edge that is sure to elicit enjoyment for all who listen. Anyone interested in Bonga's previous works, as well as the contemporary music of Angola, Portugal, Cape Verde, or France, will find Bonga to be particularly refreshing and satisfying. ~ Matthew Forss