Independance

Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) is one of the world’s youngest nations, coming into being in 1975 upon gaining independence from Portugal. As one of its most prolific and celebrated musicians, Mário Lúcio here pays homage to his country’s first 50 years with an album reflecting its diverse range of influences, from West Africa, Portugal, the Caribbean and beyond. 1975 also saw a blossoming of new music in Cabo Verde: the release from suppression of dance styles such as the funaná, music arriving with soldiers returning from war in Angola, Congo and Guinea; and the adoption of electric guitars and keyboards. Lúcio brings back these musical memories by basing new compositions on the styles of that era and weaves in threads from Afrobeat, soukous and rumba. Being rooted in dance, this is a largely upbeat album full of percussive grooves, easy-going vocals, tasty Latin piano and jangly electric guitar.