The singer, guitarist and songwriter Waldemar Bastos achieved international fame after he was accidentally discovered by ex-Talking Heads singer David Byrne. Byrne bought a record from the Angolan musician in Lisbon and became so enthusiastic that he asked Bastos to make an album for his Luaka Bop label. The album Pretaluz / Blacklight (1998) produced by Arto Lindsay garnered acclaim internationally.
Bastos decided in 1982 not to return to his country ravaged by civil war. Subsequently he stayed in Portugal, Germany, France and especially Brazil. Through many fruitful encounters with musicians from various cultures, Bastos developed a vision of 'universal music', music that conveys a message of hope, reconciliation and brotherhood with musical elements from various continents: Africa, Europe, South America (Brazil) and Asia. With the album Renascence, Bastos realized this dream, aided by the British-Jamaican producer Paul "Groucho" Smykle. The recordings took place in Malaga, Berlin, Istanbul (Turkish string orchestra!) And London with various international musicians. Bastos sings in Portuguese with his characteristic soulful voice wrapped in a warm blanket of swinging music. (SvdP) Bastos sings in Portuguese with his characteristic soulful voice wrapped in a warm blanket of swinging music. (SvdP) Bastos sings in Portuguese with his characteristic soulful voice wrapped in a warm blanket of swinging music. (SvdP)more
