For anyone who loves music which has traversed back and forth over the Atlantic ocean more than just once, Sam Mangwana's Cantos De Esperanca is a gem. Adding to his already expansive collection of excellent work, the Angolan born Mangwana serves up a blend of Cuban and Congolese sounds, seamlessly fusing them together. Mangwana's style is referred to as the Congolese Rumba because he deftly takes Cuban styles and puts any number of Congolese (or Mangwanese) twists to it. A widely traveled musician, Mangwana sings in seven different languages, African and European, and he uses 5 of them here. The album sleeve contains the lyrics to his songs all of which are explained in English, and there are also detailed liner notes compiled by Fanny Tell. All in all, Cantos De Esperanca is an excellent work which in its multiple layers is laid back, smooth, and very soothing.
As an artist, Mangwana is known as an "ambianceur" or ambiance creator and Cantos is put together in a way which creates this ambiance. The title track Cantos De Esperanca which means "Songs of Hope" introduces Mangwana's cool, whispy voice. Sung in Portugese, the song is addressed to Mangwana's people, from Angola, and could almost be called an introductory blessing to the "experience" the album takes you through. It is a slow somewhat mournful song, calling to the souls who have endured long suffering. Here the accordion and moaning background vocals to create the feeling. Not lingering long with a weight on the shoulders, immediately the next song, Faty whisks you onto your feet and into the party. Faty is the name of a woman whose capriciousness causes one of her lovers much suffering. The Rumba bass line comes out in full force and it is time to dance. The blending of Cuban and Congolese styles is heard with the combination of the strong bass line, blended with the Congolese guitar playing a catchy phrase down the scale in sixths. Guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku displays his mastery in a solo which soars in typical Congolese fashion.
The next song, Comite Ya Bantous is about the jealousy that surrounds those who are successful. The message is that the Bantous Orchestra, Mangwana's band, will persevere through the jealousy and envy it has to put up with. The song, beginning with a lazy muted trumpet solo, is played in a Cha Cha Cha and has a certain mocking quality to it. Mandjeku's solo here begins sweetly, but slowly progresses to something off kilter and discordant, (which is deliberate) possibly describing someone who holds that kind of jealousy. Kale Catho is a light song which invites people to let go of their worries for a time, take down their hair and let off some steam.
The albums seventh track, Papa Bonbon provides a taste of less fused Congolese music. Sung in Kikongo, the guitars work through the high register, the bass line bounces, and the straight 4/4 bass drum beat anchors a syncopated tom-tom rhythm. The song is about how honest people can be taunted and unappreciated in daily life. The most soothing of all songs on the album is Galo Negro which is a ballad about an old freedom fighter who sings to his sweetheart Morena. He asks her for her love so he can forget about what happened during the war for liberation. It begins with two guitars playing a sweet, interlocked phrase, accompanied by the wooing of a pressed conga tone. When the bass and hand percussion enter, it moves into a slow ballad which then turns into a Rumba. The accordion lightly accompanies and compliments the vocal lines and the smooth guitar solo by Manjeku. Galo Negro the title track of Mangwana's previous album, is played differently on Cantos De Esperanca. Here it is slower with more interlocking parts and instrumental interaction.
Mangwana's mastery of this art form is an enjoyable experience. Each song contains worldly wisdom and keen commentary on everyday life. The lyrics accessible to all and there is a definite appeal to his cool, and occasional biting observations. Following Galo Negro, which won a "Gold Star" at the Crossroads Awards for World Music in 1999, Cantos De Esperanca is another great album worth a look into.
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