Bongo Joe Records dig further into the sound of sub-Saharan African rhythms, following up 2020’s ‘Léve Léve: São Tomé & Principe Sounds: 70s-80s’. ‘Antologia Vol. 1’ is a politically-charged collection from the islands’ flagship group, traced from the dawn of independence. Though their music was alive under colonial rule, the requested name-change to ‘África Negra’ was interdicted up until the emancipation of 1975. The still-touring band wed music from Ghana and Congo to the Caribbean, enkindling a lively and lovely sound backboned by simmering guitar work. This is a textured record that doesn’t offer much variation, but is practically splashing with euphoric substance.
24/30
A favourite: ‘Saozinha’
‘Antologia Vol. 1’ is out now via Bongo Joe Records.
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