Cesaria Evora may be famous for her renditions of mornas and coladeiras, but other Cape Verde music styles also deserve attention and appreciation. An innovative example of this is the singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist Tcheka. He was born and raised on the island of Santiago, the most African island in Cape Verde. The influence of Africa is therefore noticeable in Tcheka's idiosyncratic music,
… in which an enormous rhythmic drive is noticeable. His fourth studio album Dor De Mar was produced by the owner of the Lusafrica label, José da Silva. The recordings took place in a studio in Mindelo, the capital of the Cape Verde island of São Vicente. Accompanied by excellent (guest) musicians such as the bassist Guy N'Sangué and the Madagascar accordionist Régis Gizavo, Tcheka sings with his hoarse voice and impressive timing in Creole. Songs about the hard life of a fisherman, the grief over a deceased loved one and the importance of mutual respect. Also criticism of violence, sexual abuse, environmental pollution and social inequality. Tcheka's swinging music radiates a melancholic kind of optimism and zest for life. (SvdP)more
