On the occasion of the World Fair, which was held in Lisbon in 1998, the Portuguese label Tradisom released twelve CDs with music from the colonies that Portugal founded during its famous voyages of discovery (from the 15th century). The CD booklets contain beautiful color photos and extensive historical and cultural explanations in Portuguese and English. Portuguese influence stretched from Brazil
… in South America to the Asian islands of Sri Lanka and Timor. It is interesting to see how the fusion of Portuguese music with indigenous music has created new sounds. The music from countries such as Macau, Malacca, Goa and Sri Lanka comes across surprisingly 'Portuguese', especially with songs that are sung in Portuguese. On Sumatra, oriental-sounding flute and drum music is alternated with more Western-oriented, sweet singing with accompaniment. Remarkable are the widely divergent musical styles on the African continent. Sao Tomé, for example, often plays instrumental music in combination with percussion and flutes, while on the Mozambique CD pure and harmonious (polyphonic) choirs are played. Western and African traditions form a perfect unity in the music of the Cape Verde islands. The CD with music from Timor is the most varied, with signal music on buffalo horn, music during political demonstrations and (Catholic) ceremonies, dance music and love songs. (SvdP) _ The widely diverging musical styles on the African continent are striking. Sao Tomé, for example, often plays instrumental music in combination with percussion and flutes, while on the Mozambique CD pure and harmonious (polyphonic) choirs are played. Western and African traditions form a perfect unity in the music of the Cape Verde islands. The CD with music from Timor is the most varied, with signal music on buffalo horn, music during political demonstrations and (Catholic) ceremonies, dance music and love songs. (SvdP) _ The widely diverging musical styles on the African continent are striking. Sao Tomé, for example, often plays instrumental music in combination with percussion and flutes, while on the Mozambique CD pure and harmonious (polyphonic) choirs are heard. Western and African traditions form a perfect unity in the music of the Cape Verde islands. The CD with music from Timor is the most varied, with signal music on buffalo horn, music during political demonstrations and (Catholic) ceremonies, dance music and love songs. (SvdP) _ Western and African traditions form a perfect unity in the music of the Cape Verde islands. The CD with music from Timor is the most varied, with signal music on buffalo horn, music during political demonstrations and (Catholic) ceremonies, dance music and love songs. (SvdP) _ Western and African traditions form a perfect unity in the music of the Cape Verde islands. The CD with music from Timor is the most varied, with signal music on buffalo horn, music during political demonstrations and (Catholic) ceremonies, dance music and love songs. (SvdP) _more