AnimaMundi

Miriam Makeba RIP

A giant musical voice of South Africa, Miriam Makeba, dead at 76. 

Kokola

Another track from the same Tshala Muana album, "Ntambue".

Dezo Dezo

Tshala Muana has taken the Congolese sound and made it her own. She's the Queen of Mutuashi. This track is from her 1994 "Ntambue".

Okaman

Readers, I offer you this song on my birthday for being so loyal. Monique Seka comes from a family of Ivory Coast musicians. Okaman is Afro-Zouk at its best.

Preto E Mi

Tito Paris is a Cape Verdean guitarist and vocalist. Very highly regarded in Cape Verdean music circles, his albums reflect the Creole give-and-take of these trade route islands. His music is a crystallization of African and European elements fused with Caribbean strains.

Brincadeira Tem Hora...

When I was sub-DJ'ing in NYC at SOB's in the mid 90's and it still had a planet vibe, I was fortunate to met DJ Beto from Guinea Bissau. He and I share a love for zouk from Guadeloupe and Martinique. On that first night he played some music from Cape Verde that blew me away. He told me where to go in Brockton MA to find the music. It didn't take me long to get there. Within a few weeks, I went to Rhode Island to visit some friends and relatives and, sort of on my way, I made it to Apolos Imports in Brockton on a hot humid day. It was one those places that sells furniture primarily. However, at the front of the store was where all the energy was. Up front was a very good selection of cd's from Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, and some zouk and other African music. Santos played this Paulo Flores track from "Brincadeira Tem Hora" for me when I asked to hear some music from Angola. He was swaying slightly to the song behind the counter. They didn't get many white people in there looking for African music. He wondered how I became interested in the music and I told him. He smiled.

"Tributo a Cabo Verde"