Eparaka
Kongoloti Records (42 mins)
Eparaka is the debut album from young Mozambican singer Deltino Guerreiro. It’s been two years in the making, and the final result is sweet and laid-back.
Sounds on the album come from all over, but it remains overwhelmingly Lusophone: as well as local styles, Guerreiro draws heavily from Brazilian bossa and samba, as well as elements from modern Portuguese and Angolan music. The influence of soul also hangs heavily across the band’s grooves and a sprinkle of jazz is occasionally and tastefully applied, too. Over all of this floats Guerreiro’s dulcet tones; his voice has an oddly James Taylor-esque vibe; it’s soft but assured, and full of feeling.
Electronics flow through the album – a drum machine and some programming here, a synth and some studio trickery there – but it all slots in well to the mix. Despite this, and the occasionally full arrangements, the album’s overall feel is surprisingly acoustic, as if the whole thing could be rerecorded with acoustic guitar, piano, double bass and percussion and keep the same vibe.
With Eparaka, Deltino Guerreiro has made an album that’s ideal for a chilled-out, warm summer’s night, and that gets even better with relistening.