Tags: Portuguese

Review: This debut album is sure to prove a solo breakthrough for DJ Narciso. It taps into Lisbon's rich reserves of kuduro and puts a devastatingly fresh new spin on the sound in the wake of pioneers like Nidia, N Fox and P. Adrix. Narciso pushes drill-adjacent rhythms and tresillo syncopations here and creates a unique European counterpart to Havana's wild sense of rhythm that is, at its core, deeply rooted in West African traditions. Tracks like 'Ziu Ziu (Reprise)' and 'Cabelinho' explore quirky textures and unpredictable grooves while 'Vai Estragar a Camera' echoes early Nazar's cantankerous vibe and '5 Do Jo' and 'Jogo' deliver heavy basslines and experimental sounds that cement Narciso's distinctive style in Lisbon's unique landscape.

Review: This collaboration between multi-instrumentalist Valentina Magaletti and Afro-Portuguese beat-maker Nidia follows artists like Moritz von Oswald and Laurel Halo on the label. The album bridges cultures and environments from Sicilian heat to English rain through infectious rhythms and intricate melodies. Meaning "roads" in Portuguese, Estradas reflects the duo's dynamic exchange while adapting their sound to the urgency and spirit of diverse spaces. Produced by Tom Halstead, it masterfully weaves syncopated drums, marimba and melodic interludes into an electrifying release that celebrates rhythm's universal power.

Review: Mayra Andrade's live album, recorded at Union Chapel, features the warmth and eclecticism of her music in an intimate setting. Known for blending Cape Verdean Creole, English, and Portuguese in her songs, she pulls from a variety of cultural influences to craft a sound that's truly global. Her live collaboration with guitarist Djodje Almeida, 'reEncanto,' takes listeners on a journey through her discographyifrom Navega (2006) to Manga (2019).Andrade's music dances between traditional Cape Verdean rhythms and contemporary beats, with touches of reggae, African soul and pop influences, making every performance feel both rooted and adventurous. Her voice, full of depth and color, effortlessly shifts between romantic ballads and playful, rhythmic tunes. A nomadic spirit is evident in her music as she reflects her life's experiences and travels. On stage, Andrade is stunning, and the energy she brings in this live recording transports listeners straight to Cape Verde's sun-drenched shores. For those unfamiliar with her work, this album is an ideal introduction to the vibrant, evolving world she's built through her music, full of passion and heartfelt storytelling.

Review: Cllignon is back with more musical adventuring in the form of Bicicleta, a new album recorded during their last summer tour. As such it does a fine job of capturing the band's live energy but also dives deeper into their sound where you will find a melange of nice sunny grooves, deft psychedelic guitars and sharp keyboard riffs. The album spans multiple influences from the Maloya rhythms of 'Fonker la Mer' to the Brazilian groove of 'Vai Vai Vai (Into the Stars).' Recorded while Jori spent a year in the Netherlands, it celebrates cycling as a symbol of freedom and adventure and certainly travels far with each piece adding up to a fine story overall.

Review: We guarantee you won't have heard percussion like Serpente for some time. Offering three tracks of disorientating, complex beats, from 'Perda Outra' to 'Dobra De Ra', the triptych is rhythmically challenging but absolutely captivating, and certainly the kind of thing that's going to prove demanding for anyone obsessed with smooth, clean transitions in a mix. Flip this wild six pack and CZN's trio of tunes are similarly beguiling. Space age desert folk drums, suppressed ritualistic thrumming, and top-heavy pulsating arrangements that seem poised to generate high energy while never managing to release the tension. Quality bits we don't really know what else to say about - genre obsessives need not apply, this is no place for you or your structures and rules. But trust us, letting go of such ideals and diving in here will be one of the best things you do this week.

Review: Rotterdam is one of the many big port cities around the world that welcomed a high number of Cape Verdean immigrants. In the 1970s, Americo Brito was one of them and he soon got involved with the local music scene and found an ever larger community of likeminded talents. He took to the stage with his band and made for a buzzy little scene that found them tour with their own sound system. Here he works with Rotterdam local Arp Frique to serve up Cape Verdean music old and new with plenty of traditional Funana and Coladeira sounds next to jams influenced by wave, disco and funk, jazz, reggae and Latin pop.