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Deutsche Welle

The musical riches of this group of islands off the western coast of Africa are astonishing. Nearly each island has its own style, with elements introduced there by sailors from every part of the world. In Santiago, it’s the funaná and the tabanka, with their lively western African rhythms. On São Vicente the coladeira, which like the samba, is light footed and danceable. Quite unlike the morna, with its sad, slow rhythms. Popular on the island of Santo Antão is a contredanse descended from an old courtly dance style. In the secluded mountainous regions of São Nicolau, it’s the lamento, which, like the name suggests, is a song of lament.

Cesaria Evora, the "Barefoot Diva," made the sound of the Cape Verdes famous around the world, simply by doing what she'd been doing for decades: singing in local night clubs. And she paved the way for younger musicians to carry on the heritage. Artists such as Teté Alhinho, who lives on the island of Santiago.

Some artists were born or grew up in exile in Portugal but identify culturally with the Cape Verde Islands. They include the bard Teofilo Chantre, considered one of the best poets of the archipelago, and Sara Tavares, whose exceptional voice stirs the heart. A new star on the Cape Verdean firmament: Lura, born in Lisbon in 1975.

• Da Cruz: Petit Pays with Cesaria Evora on 09078 TROPICAL MUSIC 68973
• Novas: Paraiso di atlantico with Cesaria Evora on 09078 TROPICAL MUSIC 68805
• Leza: Miss Perfumado with Cesaria Evora on 09078 TROPICAL MUSIC 68985
• Leza: Galo Bedjo with Djurumani & Zenaida on 08972 Exil 91572
• Vieira: Festa Di Nha Kumpadri with Lura on 10412 LUSAFRICA 88697021002
• Chantre: Nha Fe with Teofilo Chantre on 08972 Exil 91572
• Tavares: Balance with Sara Tavares on 10236 WORLD CONNECTION 0043058WC
• Alhinho/Lima/Spencer/Scapa: Tchiga pra mi with Simentera on 07710 Celluloid 670502