| Jazz |
Carmen Souza is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing vocalists of our time, a native of Cape Verde like Cesária Évora, yet offering a body of work that is both vocally modern and intellectually richer than that of her illustrious predecessor. Port’Inglês (English Port) is a musical tale of the islands, a lyrical chronicle of the untold stories surrounding the British presence in Cape Verde and the struggle for decolonization, narrated through Souza’s singular artistry. In this new musical offering, jazz speaks the language of freedom—a language that resonates across cultures—intertwining seamlessly with traditional rhythms such as Funaná, Contradança, Morna, and Mazurka, mirroring the multi-layered hybridity of Cape Verde itself.
This album was recorded in the very year Portugal marked the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, the military coup of April 25, 1974, that dismantled the Estado Novo dictatorship. That momentous event set in motion the end of the wars in Portugal’s African colonies and paved the way for their independence in 1975.
Here, as much a storyteller as a singer, Carmen Souza places her voice at the forefront more than ever before. The rhythms, the melodies, and the intricate musical textures transport the listener into the atmosphere of Cape Verde and the historical echoes of Port’Inglês. Having spent sixteen years in the United Kingdom, Souza employs her music to explore the unexpected ties between her homeland and Britain—a nation that has profoundly shaped her creative journey. Inspired by her master’s thesis on the British presence in Cape Verde, she embarks on a deeply personal and musically enriching odyssey. With a collection of original compositions steeped in the spirit of the islands, she narrates the encounters between these two cultures and their enduring imprint on Cape Verde after centuries of English presence. This artistic voyage stands as a testament to her passion and devotion, inviting the audience to share in her musical exploration.
“I drew inspiration from Cape Verdean folklore to craft this musical suite. As part of my research for my master’s thesis, I sought to embody this historical period through music. The album delves into themes of cultural identity, resistance, colonialism, and the ongoing struggle for decolonization, shedding light on the link between Cape Verde and the United Kingdom. I was inspired by folktales, maritime narratives, and even the sea shanties of British folk music.”
Perhaps this is why we listen to this album differently from her previous works. Here, the theme seizes the listener’s soul entirely—these hidden stories, long buried in shame by those who perpetrated such histories. Be they English, Belgian, or French, the silence of former colonial powers speaks to a reluctance to confront a past where slavery was treated as an ordinary commercial practice. And yet, each people endured this history in its own way, shaped by the contours of its original culture. Ultimately, this is an album both spiced and thought-provoking, one that nourishes the intellect as much as it stirs reflection. One cannot help but thank Carmen Souza for offering a work of such striking quality—intellectually, vocally, and musically. The strength of this artist has always resided in the boldness of her artistic vision, and one might venture to say that Port’Inglês is perhaps her most personal and poignant offering to date.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, February 13th 2025
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Carmen Souza, voix, guitare, piano (paroles)
Theo Pascal, basse (compositions, production)
Elias Kacomanolis, batterie
Invités album: Diogo Santos, Joao Oliveira, Deschanel Gordon, piano Zoe Pascal, batterie – Mark Kavuma, trompette – Gareth Lockraine, flûte