Items12The creator’s order
  1. 1Miss Perfumado (1992)Miss Perfumado (1992)Released 1 Jan 1992Recorded in Paris, this 1992 landmark brought the acoustic mornas and coladeiras of Cape Verde to global audiences. Évora's rich, unhurried contralto captures sodade, the profound longing of island emigration, over melancholy acoustic guitars, cavaquinho and delicate piano flourishes on the…0
  2. 2Angola 72 (1972)Angola 72 (1972)Released 1 Jan 1972Recorded in Rotterdam while Bonga was in political exile from colonial Angola, this seminal record combines raw resistance poetry with irresistible semba dance rhythms. His raspy, deeply rhythmic vocals ride alongside acoustic guitars and the scraping dikanza percussion, particularly on Mona Ki Ngi…0
  3. 3Pretaluz (1998)Pretaluz (1998)Released 1 Jan 1998Produced by Arto Lindsay for David Byrne's Luaka Bop label, Pretaluz captures the Angolan singer-songwriter at his most transcendent. Bastos weaves delicate acoustic melodies with heartfelt laments about war and reconciliation, blending Angolan semba, Portuguese fado inflections and gentle Afro-pop…0
  4. 4Navega (2006)Navega (2006)Released 1 Jan 2006Andrade recorded this stunning debut in Paris at just twenty-one, revitalising Cape Verdean traditions with youthful poise and acoustic warmth. Sung in Cape Verdean Creole, songs like Disbranxada and Tunuka weave batuku syncopations and gentle mornas together with Brazilian choro undertones,…0
  5. 5Di korpu ku alma (2004)Di korpu ku alma (2004)Released 1 Jan 2004Di Korpu Ku Alma (Of Body and Soul) is the definitive contemporary celebration of Cape Verde's most kinetic dance traditions: funaná and batuku. Lura sings with magnetic vitality over galloping accordion riffs, rapid ferrinho iron rod scraping and crisp acoustic guitars, turning tracks like Na Ri…0
  6. 6Balancê (2005)Balancê (2005)Released 1 Jan 2005Born in Lisbon to Cape Verdean parents, Sara Tavares found her distinctive musical voice on this self-produced gem. Balancê weaves Cape Verdean morna and coladeira rhythms into warm acoustic soul and gentle folk. Sung across Portuguese, Creole and English, her breezy acoustic guitar work and…0
  7. 7Paulo Flores – Xé PovoPaulo Flores – Xé PovoPaulo Flores stands as the towering poet of modern Angolan semba, chronicling Luanda street life and political disillusionment with unmatched wit and soul. On Xé Povo, his warm, gravelly baritone rides buoyant brass sections, sparkling cavaquinho and infectious percussion, addressing the post-civil…0
  8. 8Terra (2008)Terra (2008)Released 1 Jan 2008With Terra, Mariza boldly pushed Portuguese fado beyond the taverns of Lisbon, enlisting Spanish producer Javier Limón to weave Iberian tradition with Flamenco guitars, Cuban piano and Cape Verdean morna. Her dramatic vocal authority anchors the ambitious arrangements, turning Alfama and Rosa…0
  9. 9Dino D'Santiago – Mundu NôbuDino D'Santiago – Mundu NôbuHailing from the Algarve with Cape Verdean roots, Dino D'Santiago crafted a sonic revolution on Mundu Nôbu by colliding Cape Verdean funaná and batuku with futuristic Lisbon electronic club beats. Produced with French-Angolan beatmaker Branko, tracks like Nova Lisboa celebrate the vibrant…0
  10. 10Eneida Marta – Lôpe KaiEneida Marta – Lôpe KaiGuinea-Bissau possesses one of West Africa's richest yet least exported musical heritages, anchored by the gumbe rhythm. On Lôpe Kai, Eneida Marta delivers soaring, emotionally fearless vocals in Guinea-Bissau Creole, fusing traditional Tina percussion, calabash and balafon with modern acoustic…0