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CD Review
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Plain Dealer, CD Review >>
Bonga is renowned in his native Angola as an athlete, freedom fighter and exile. But his soft, raspy voice does not sound heroic. In this collection of traditional and original songs, the soulful singer-songwriter celebrates semba, the African dance style that influenced Brazilian samba. Bluesy tunes are reminiscent of Cape Verdean morna. Repetitive refrains sung by a backup group recall the traditional West African call and response. Bonga accompanies himself on dizanga, a traditional bamboo scraper, and puita, a small friction drum. Members of his ensemble play other percussion instruments, as well as acoustic guitar, accordion and bass. Regrettably, the album does not provide English translations of the Angolan lyrics, which deal with social issues and memories of Bonga's homeland. But the ballads clearly communicate the expatriate's feeling of sadness, and the upbeat rhythms have an infectious quality that transcends words. B+ 04/11/04
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