Customer Reviews

Renascence

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Being a big fan of international music ~ "Renascence", featuring Waldemar Bastos is an opportunity to witness the magic of this wonderfully entertaining album...songs are performed in another language (songs are sung solely in Portuguese), throroughly enjoyable and have a natural beauty about them...within the liner-notes the lyrics are translated into english, but listening to them in their native tongue is completely mesmerizing.

Here are the songs with english titles:
1. OUTRO TEMPO NOVO (ANOTHER NEW TIME)
2. AGUA DO BENGO (THE WATER OF BENGO)
3. ESPERANCO (HOPE)
4. GEORGINA (GEORGINA)
5. PITANGA MODURINHA (PITONGA READY RIPE)
6. DONGO (DONGO)
7. SOBORES DA TERRO (FLAVORS OF THE LAND)
8. PZ PAO E AMOR (PEACE BREAD AND LOVE)
9. RENASCENCE (RENASCENCE)
10.TWENDE VOSSI (TWENDE VOSSI)
11.KURIBOTA (KURIBOTA)
12.PITANGA MADURINHA II (featuring Chaka Demus)

The rhythms are very catchy with a Latin American, almost salsa-esque feel to them...Bastos' music transcends borders, his voice emphasizes social and spiritual consciousness... he intertwines the various African and Latin rhythms...all compositions by Waldemar Bastos (except club mix, Pitanga Madurinha II featuring Chaka Demus)...recorded 2004 February at "El Cortijo - The Spanish House", San Pedro de Akantura, Spain...hats off to Times Square Records and Four Quarters Entertainment Inc for capturing the moment and talent of Waldemar Bastos!

Total Time: 63:00 on 12 Tracks ~ Times Square Records 9043 ~ (5/24/2005)

When Angola fell into a bloody civil war, singer/musician Waldemar Bastos found himself in exile until the conflict ended in 2003, allowing him to return to his homeland. In Renascence he musically documenting the dreams of peace and the struggle to build again what was once ravaged. Of special note is the song "Georgina" imagining what it must have been like for many soldiers to return to Luanda after the war to find that their girlfriends had either died, or left for parts unknown, or took up with someone else. The other outstanding compositions in this strongly recommended recording include: Outro Tempo Nova; Aua Do Bengo; Esperanca; Pitanga Madurinha; Dongo; Sabores Da Terra; Paz Pdo A Amor; Twende Vossi; Kuribota; Pitenga Madurinha II (featuring Chaka Deumus); and the title piece Renascence.

I was amazed by the songs, the delivery and the total effect of the album. The songs are absolutely wonderful, with poignant references to the political situation in Angola, his homeland. If you speak Portuguese, the effect is amazing. If you do not, the sounds will take you there, to the all-understanding level that only music can provide!

An exquisite, original, thoughtful and glorious CD. After hearing him live in Chiago and on the radio often I am thrilled with this event.. Despite years away from Angola his soul has produced a magnificent enfolding of sensitivity and joy. This peaceful attitude is what we hunger for all over the world. Keep it up, Mr. Bastos! YOu are truly universal, and everyone deserves to hear you.!

I was not disappointed by this CD. I love the gaiter playing on this. I only wished he had more slow songs like song #1. I don't understand a word of what he says, but I feel his Vibe!