Bonga – Kintal da Banda (Lusafrica, 2022).
The great Angolan singer Bonga has released a new album titled Kintal da Banda. The album celebrates the education and life experiences he received from his family and friends growing up in Kiripi, Angola. The family’s home courtyard was a place where he developed his social and political awareness and his talent for love and rebellion. “Kintal da Banda” translates as The Courtyard of the Place.
The album “Kintal da Banda” presents an excellent set of songs highlighting his raspy vocals and rooted in semba, the musical genre Bonga developed. Indeed, it is seductive music with irresistible dance rhythms rooted in Angolan and Latin American traditions.
Song topics include gastronomy, life in the bush, and everyday actions of resistance. Currently living in Lisbon (Portugal), Bonga is still committed to many worthy causes, singing back to the negative movements surfacing in many parts of the planet. Nonetheless, when he gets angry, it is now with more limitation: “I don’t want to get angry anymore, it’s to the detriment of my health“, he jokes.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.