Search - Various Artists :: Soul of Angola Anthology 1965-1975

(Soul of Angola) Happy music, sad lyrics: unbeatable!

jqr | Brooklyn | 08/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Soul of Angola is a record well suited for those rainy-day moments in everyone's life. Even though about a dozen different artists recorded its contents over a 10-year span, the two discs hold together seamlessly. I don't understand the lyrics, but they come across as inexpressibly sad. Yet the music is often fairly uptempo and features bright guitars playing minor-key licks. The musicianship is absolutely impeccable; these guys all were born knowing how to swing.



"Mama Divua Diame" by Avozinho is one of my favorites. The singer projects a husky alto, then while the guitar solos away he contributes a spoken obbligato. The entire time, the rhythm section is absolutely in the pocket. These are obviously all dance musicians; they could play these grooves all night but, all the songs on "Soul of Angola" cut off after three minutes or so.



Put this record on when you feel exhausted and weepy. Listen to the first disc, and slowly the hypnotic rhythms will pull you back to your senses, while the lyrics assure you, "It's OK to feel miserable." By the time the the Jovens do Prendo mini-set in the middle of disc 2 comes on, the double-time guitar sambas of "Coio" and "Africa Merengue" will have you back feeling your able, normal (cheerful?) self again."

Wonderful

jqr | 03/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wonderful music...if you like this, I suggest you look for music by Bonga (he's got a great live recording, Swinga Swinga), Paulo Flores, and Carlos Burity. Angola 90's is another great recording.You might also like some Haitian konpa music-try live recordings by Michel Martelly (a.k.a. Sweet Micky) and Tabou Combo."

More great stuff from angola

Ashish Bhan | Irvine, CA United States | 07/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you liked the LuakaBop compilation _Telling Stories to
the Sea_, you will love this compilation. It doesn't quite
have the range of _Telling.._, but there is enough stunning
music on these two (quite long) discs to make it worthwhile.
Some great guitar instrumentals too."