Sam Mangwana - Canta Moçambique (1989)

This album collects two disparate recordings by the great Sam Mangwana: the Abidjan-recorded rumba set Consommez Local from 1982 and Canta Moçambique from 1983. Some compilation albums work very well, but the only thing that holds this one together is Mangwana's talent. Two songs are fine rumbas built for dancing, while the others are pointedly political homages to the anti-colonial struggle in Moçambique, sung in Portuguese with a completely different musical character. How could it be otherwise, recorded with local musicians in Moçambique?

While this album does not really hold together conceptually or musically, it does present two excellent recording sessions. That is fine by me, and a pleasure to hear.

Enjoy!