Recados De Fora

On his new album Recados de Fora (Messages from Elsewhere), Bonga - who just celebrated his 74th birthday, on 5 September 2016 - tells the tale of a fascinating journey across different times and continents. The Atlantic Ocean forms an ever-present connecting thread. If the album gives a large place to semba, - a fact clearly reflected in Tonokenu, a song in the purest tradition of Bongas roots, Recados de Fora, also provides an opportunity to remember some of the wonderful people who had an impact on the singer's career. For instance, Odji Maguado by B. Leza rekindles the flames of Bonga's affection for the Cape Verde islands, a love that began at his first recording sessions in Rotterdam in 1972 when he played with musicians from the archipelago for the album Angola 72. It is also a tribute to his dear friend Cesaria Evora, who added it to her own repertoire. Then Banza Rémy recalls his long friendship with Remy Kolpa-Kopoul, a French journalist who left us too soon, an unforgettable voice and a great connoisseur of Brazilian music. Bonga brings him back to life with an old theme by songsmith Zé do Norte: Sodade, Meu Bem, Sodade, which was sung before by Maria Bethânia, Nana Caymmi and Nazaré Pereira. The Angolan master's version is enhanced by a searing Portuguese guitar accompaniment.