Brincadeira Tem Hora

This disc begins with that mellow Angolan swing-sway dance rhythm that Paulo Flores does so well. "Oh! Moca" ups the tempo with a percussive freight train that features some fine conga work. The vocals are strong and soulful, full of African expressiveness. "Suzana Mu'Hato" is a soukous-influenced track that cooks with backing percussion, vocals, spanking lead and rhythm guitars and tight sax solos. The groove is dug deeper on "N'Gala N'Difuba," the percussion doing the work. "Tributo a Cabo Verde" is a beautiful mid-tempo semba in which Paulo Flores sings of sodade, the sentimental longing for the homeland, but is actually much more than that. A melodic rhythmic sax solo brings it all home. "Amores de Hoje" takes the groove still deeper, but with a different direction and feel. "Cabelos da Moda" is a dance track that incorporates the irresistible percussive semba rhythm. "Patala" is another semba that steams with the crack percussion personnel underpinning the vocals. "Nossas Kotas" is a touching tribute to the ancestors who have always danced their traditions. Angolan music is exceptional African music. Paulo Flores is one of its masters and this jewel of an album is one fine work of art.