4.0 out of 5 stars
Polyrhythmic textures, January 20, 2007
Ramiro Naka hails from Guinea Bissau, where he has been involved with groups such as N'Kassa Cobra, Saba Miniamba and Makare; the latter released three albums between 1979 and 1984, bestowing superstar status upon Ramiro. He went solo two years later with this album. Recorded in Paris like most of the best contemporary African music, the album opens with the lambada-like Tchon Tchoma with energetic accordion leading the melody. Guitar takes over on the track Rabo De Padja, while Sulu Demba with its dense rhythmic patterns and jazzy vocal reminds one - of all people - of Tim Buckley. Latin American, Western, and a multitude of African rhythms weave teasingly in and out of the mix. Naka's family moved often during his childhood so he picked up on the musical styles of many regions, including the Mandingo, Coast, Mandjak and Pular traditions. Further influences were added by his sojourns in Portugal and France. On the track Nha Indimigo all of these styles come together in brilliant fusion, creating a dance that rushes through the reeds like an aardvark on amphetamines.
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