Bonga recorded his first album, Angola 72, in Rotterdam via the Morabeza label dedicated to Cape Verdean musicians. The album is a genuine masterpiece. Its ten songs, which are inexpressibly sad (although their heartrending melancholy is relieved by upbeat tempos), are an account and summary of his experiences in Luanda. On this record, says Bonga, you find all the emotions that filled my heart at the time, along with echoes of experiences that would later prove crucial in my life. For the arrangements, I chose acoustic guitar and dikanza and other percussion instruments. The music is semba, with numbers that switch from fast to slow, like spirituals. Bonga was encouraged by the critical success of this first effort. He added the sweet melodies of Cape Verdean morna and the rhythmic texture of Congolese rumba to his new songs. Two years later, he felt ready to record a second album, Angola 74, again on the Morabeza label. On it, Bonga sang Sodade, an Amandio Cabral number that Djunga had released as a single. The Angolan wanted to record it as soon as he heard it for the first time. Today, the gravel-voiced singer is still continuing on his musical path, enlarging a repertoire that remains rooted in the social and cultural history of a land that was ravaged for so long by unremitting war. It was important to re-release these two recordings. They have a place of choice among the finest of modern African musical productions.
Release date:
March 8, 2024
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Vinyl Care - Top Picks
A selection of accesories to keep your turntable equipment & vinyl records in the best shape
-
Nagaoka MP-110H Cartridge
Features a high-quality elliptical stylus that provides excellent tracking and minimizes distortion, delivering a detailed sound reproduction with an output voltage of 5.0 mV
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
-
Turntables - Top Picks
A selection of reliable record players you can buy today, for every budget
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Aj Tracey Don't Die Before Youre Dead
Revenge
June 13, 2025 -
Jennie Ruby Vinyl
Columbia Records Group
August 22, 2025 -
B.c.camplight Sober Conversation (Gold)
Bella Union UK
June 27, 2025 -
Lifeguard Ripped and Torn
Matador
June 6, 2025 -
Josh Groban Gems [2xLP]
Warner Records
June 13, 2025 -
Lil Wayne Tha Carter VI
Young Money/Republic
June 6, 2025 -
U.S. Girls Scratch It
4Ad
June 20, 2025 -
Knosis Genknosis (Translucent Crystal)
Sharptone Records
August 1, 2025 -
3 Doors Down The Better Life
Republic Records
June 20, 2025 -
Dougie Poole At Tubby's
Wharf Cat Records
July 18, 2025 -
Gwenifer Raymond Last Night I Heard The Dog Star Bark
We Are Busy Bodies
September 5, 2025 -
Renee Rapp Bite Me
Interscope
August 1, 2025 -
Turnstyle Never Enough (Red & Black)
Wea Int'l
June 13, 2025 -
Kingfishr Halcyon
Atlantic
August 22, 2025