Boy Gé Mendes - Lagoa CD

Lagoa Review by Mark Romano - AllMusic

Boy Ge Mendes states in the liners that this album is the fruit of a dream and that the lyrics recall magical happenings made possible by a Divine Unity. He also goes on to say that if he makes one person happy... There's no doubt that this album has made and will make many people happy. From the first note, a percussive flow pervades the whole album mixing African, Cuban and Brazilian elements. No drum machines here. The congas, shekere and talking drum thump and shake. The piano and guitar accompaniment and solos are sparse and tight. Quality musicianship makes for good listening throughout. Most of the tracks are mid-tempo dance grooves, but there are a couple of mornas (soulful ballads) whose bluesy beauty make for textural contrast with the rest of the album. The vocals are strong and match the intensity of the percussive groundwork. "Ayuweh," a dance hymn to Angola and her struggles, percolates an insistent mellow Afro-Cuban rhythm. "Pampario" is another outstanding dance track that tells of a saintly presence in the dancing round. A skillfully recorded album that stays fresh.

EAN: 3567252625223

262.52-2

Lusafrica, 1997

Country: FRANCE

Good condition

C05