Simentera
Simentera was a world music group from the Cape Verde Islands . It was founded by the musician Mário Lúcio de Sousa in 1995. Simentera became one of the most famous groups in the archipelago.
While most Cape Verde groups played traditional compositions with electronic instruments, Simentera broke new ground with acoustic guitars. A local magazine therefore once described Simentera as the “new face of a different Cape Verdean music”.
The members of the group came from different professions. not all of them were exclusively professional musicians. They were one of the few Cape Verdean groups with strong ties to their country. Simentera campaigned for the consolidation of Cape Verdean identity. So an association was founded to support Cape Verdean music. The goals of this association were to set up a cultural center, a music school for children and a CD shop, where Cape Verdean artists were supported. In 2004 the group broke up with the departure of Mário Lúcio . He then made a solo career and also went into Cape Verdean politics. He was the country's minister of culture from 2011 to 2016.
music
Orchestrated exclusively acoustically, the songs on the album "CaboVerde En Serenta", released in 2000, offered a successful insight into the musical wealth of the archipelago, which is due in particular to Coladera, Morna and Funana . In addition, religious chants, as practiced by African slaves , are part of the Simentera repertoire. The group's last album, released in 2003, continued this tradition.
Discography
- Raiz ( Lusafrica / Sunny Moon, 1995)
- Barro E Voz (Mélodie / Indigo, 1997)
- Cabo Verde En Serenata (Piranha / EFA, 2000)
- Tr'Adictional (Mélodie / Indigo, 2003)