Bonga – Kaxexe (Europe: Lusafrica 627325, 2003 / US: Times Square, 2004)
Since the early 1970s, Bonga has been one of Angola’s biggest singing stars and a very popular international musical ambassador, particularly through his many well-received US tours. He’s managed that very difficult crossover, which means that his music and, specifically, his splendidly mellifluous voice has great appeal for lovers of traditional and contemporary music alike.
Singing in Portuguese, the lingua franca of modern mood music, gives Bonga an instant advantage in the broad appeal stakes but, over a 30 plus year career, he’s had his down moments as well as the up. In fact, over the past 7 or so years, his output has been sporadic in terms of quality.
Thankfully, Kaxexe represents a break from that decline with a strong set of ballad and mid-paced shufflers which are every bit as good as the best moments from the unique-voiced singer’s three decades at the top. That voice is hard to define, smooth yet gravelly, like the aural equivalent of a lick from a
cat’s tongue, strange and yet, oddly, pleasurable.
If you’re unfamiliar with Bonga’s style, then to say it approximates to Cesaria Evora’s musical brand known as morna should give the essence of the sound – and Bonga’s vocal style is every bit as captivating as that of La Diva Aux Pieds Nus. Whether you’ve heard his music before or not, this is the time to pick up on what is possibly a career best to date. If you love melodic, romantic music with honeyed sweetness but no saccharine, don’t miss out.
Author: Dave Atkin
