NGOMA 08 - Saudade by djzhao published on 2013-04-11T06:34:10Z Since Zouk arrived (back) in Africa from the Guadeloupe and Martinique islands, where rhythms and melodies of the African “expats” mixed with Rumba, Calypso, Gwo Ka, Compas, Reggae, and even Salsa (and where they must have looked across the ocean with infinite longing for home), it has since been influenced by another deeply emotional music: Portugese Fado. Long story short, during the last few decades Zouk, Kizomba, and related styles have become IMMENSELY popular and ubiquitous in many parts of Africa. But, we all know what this kind of huge commercial success does to a genre: it becomes cheap and watered down, and quantity replaces quality. Thus 99% of the modern Zouk and Kizomba we encounter today is tacky and paltry rubbish of incredibly bad taste, garishly saccharine instead of deeply moving like the Zouk of bygone years. Yet in this sordid state of affairs there are artists who are producing music which retain more than a touch of the golden years, making songs that are soul stirring as they are irresistible on the modern dance floor. So if one digs deeper, there IS such a thing as good contemporary Zouk and Kizomba: this is what i hope to convince people of, especially long time lovers of African music who have given up on these genres. Historically, the Afro-Caribbean connection has produced very much amazing music about romantic love. But Angola and Cape Verde has developed specific strands of musical expression which focus on a special feeling: that of loss and longing, of desire and nostalgia, of love mixed with sadness. (an example most are familiar with would be the Cape Verdean Morna artist Cesaria Evora). I believe that the best love songs in the world are actually about its absence or loss, and this mix focuses on music both sexy and infused with a deeper sense of burning emotional urgency. Genre Kizomba / Zouk Comment by leandrorcgoncalves Duro 2023-11-17T10:44:55Z Comment by huzur ngoma - my favourite mix series ever 2014-05-25T19:47:00Z Comment by Uku Loco still love this tape! 2014-02-15T10:57:45Z Comment by djzhao N dis wan for de LOVERZ... 2013-08-16T13:00:12Z Comment by djzhao Dis wan 4 all de FREEKZ 2013-08-16T12:59:17Z Comment by pattterns mmmmmm love :) 2013-05-24T07:57:24Z Comment by lococheeko Angola... 2013-04-16T13:09:23Z Comment by pookiesound DJ ZHAO!!! 2013-04-13T17:29:12Z Comment by pookiesound lovelovelove 2013-04-13T17:01:53Z Comment by Richards Marachkovskis nice one goes on 2013-04-11T08:52:16Z