Dula

Born and raised in Angola but resident in the US since 2013, Dula released a debut album, Africa, which was nominated for a Grammy as Best World Music album. The follow-up is good enough to push for similar recognition. Recorded in eight different countries including Brazil, Colombia, France, Portugal, Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay and the US, the closest analogy for Dula's powerhouse mix of African and Latin styles seasoned with funk and gospel is Angélique Kidjo in the first flush of her early exuberance. Enhanced by the dynamic production of Latin Grammy-winner Emilio D Miller and singing in her native Kimbundu as well as Portuguese, Spanish and English, this is a record that exudes a fiery character. The thundering voodoo-rock of the opener ‘Monandengue’ has lyrics about human trafficking and forced child labour, while on the gentle ‘Nvula’ she harmonises Zap Mama-style over the glorious sound of the ancient Angolan marimba de chonta. On the wistful ‘Marinheiro’ she's joined by the classical strings of Argentina's Surdel Sur Quartet. By contrast, ‘Mora Em Nós’ shimmies to a lovely Afro-pop dance groove, while the dramatic ‘Guerreira’ is a funky, horn-driven tribute to the 17th century Angolan queen Njinga Mbandé. Soulful, stirring, sharp and sassy, Dula is a new African voice to rank alongside the very best.