Tiganá Santana – Caçada Noturna (ajabu!, 2024)
Caçada Noturna is the seventh album by the talented Brazilian artist Tiganá Santana from Bahia. Recorded in Serpa, Portugal, the album features contributions from musicians Leonardo Mendes and Ldson Galter. This project features primarily vocals and string instruments, including various types of acoustic and electric guitars and bass instruments, fulfilling Santana’s long-held artistic vision.
Tiganá Santana has a warm, deep, soulful and caressing vocal style grabs your attention from the very first second. At the same time, the guitars are truly lovely.
The album includes seven tracks, mostly unreleased, with only one not composed by Tiganá. The opening track, “Das matas” (From the Forests), written by Fabrício Mota, honors the hunting Afro-Brazilian deity Oxóssi and features a mesmerizing spoken word recitation by Tiganá.
Another tribute to Oxóssi is found in Tiganá’s Kikongo-language composition, “Nkongo” (Hunter), previously recorded by Jurema Paes on her album Mestiça (Mixed).
The album title, “Caçada Noturna” (Night Hunt), is inspired by a poem by Paulo Colina, one of Tiganá’s favorite poets. The themes of hunting, nighttime, the moon, heartfelt emotions, and mystery are essential to the album.
Among the tracks, only “Estrelas pernoitadas” (Overnight Stars) is instrumental, making this a song-focused project. Other songs include “O amor simples” (Simple Love), “Partes de mim” (Parts of Me), and “Coração ao largo” (Wide-hearted), stands out,delivering exquisite guitar work reminiscent of Bill Frisell and Vinicius Cantuaria.
A notable track, “O véu” (The Veil), was recorded in São Paulo, Brazil, at Estúdio Arsis. It includes guest performances by singer Fabiana Cozza and musician Henrique Araújo on the cavaco (a smaller version of the Brazilian-style cavaquinho). The album consists of seven tracks, primarily new compositions, with only one song not written by Santana.
Visual artist Ani Ganzala designed the stunning, colorful album cover art.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
