Historically the Afro-Caribbean connection has produced so much amazing music about romantic love. Particularly, Angola and Cape Verde has developed specific strands of musical expression which focus on a special feeling: that of loss and longing, of desire and nostalgia, of love mixed with sadness. (an example most are familiar with would be the Cape Verdean Morna artist Cesaria Evora) I believe that the best love songs in the world are actually about the lack of love, and this mix focuses on music both sexy and deeply emotional.

DOWNLOAD SINGLE TRACK: MEDIAFIRE

Since Zouk arrived (back) in Africa from the Guadeloupe and Martinique islands, where rhythms and melodies of the African “expats” mixed with Rumba, Calypso, Gwo Ka, Compas, Reggae, and even Salsa (and where they must have looked across the ocean with infinite longing for home), it has since been influenced by another deeply emotional music: Portugese Fado. Long story short, during the last few decades Zouk, Kizomba, and related styles have become IMMENSELY popular and ubiquitous in many parts of Africa.

But, sadly, we all know what this kind of huge commercial success does to a genre: it becomes cheap and watered down, and quantity replaces quality. Thus 99% of the modern Zouk and Kizomba we encounter today is tacky and paltry rubbish of incredibly bad taste, garishly saccharine instead of deeply moving like the Zouk of bygone years. Yet in this sordid state of affairs there are artists who are producing music which retain more than a touch of the golden years, making songs that are soul stirring as they are irresistible on the modern dance floor. So if one digs deeper, there IS such a thing as good contemporary Zouk and Kizomba: this is what i hope to convince people of, especially long time lovers of African music who have given up on these genres.

01 DJ Rams – Intro
02 Rei Helder – Miu’da (feat. Master Jake)
03 Rei Helder – Ventoinha (feat. Nelson Freitas)
04 Aleluia – 69 Anos De Idade  Aleluia
05 Chico Viegas – Ta kieto
06 Quatros Plus – Slow Motion
07 Babete – Tarraxinha Da Noite
08 Dj Rams – Remake (feat. Sasha Grey)
09 Dj Znobia – Tarraschinha Proibida / Quero Te Sentir
10 Mulatu Astatke – Motherland
11 Malcom Pro – Love is Back
12 Unknown – Unknown
13 Georges Pionquitte – Pa Ni Koko
14 Chico Viegas – Saudades
15 Chico Viegas – Te juro amor
16 Marízia – Unknown
17 Mobass – Unknown
18 Unknown – Unknown
19 Master Jake – Carinho
20 Manya – Bola De Trapo
21 Chico Viegas – Samba makia
22 Chico Viegas – Mu d’zomba
23 Cabinda A Cunene – Bana
24 Falso Testemunho – Maria Alice
25 Sol Na Tchada – Maria Alice
26 Michel Pinheiro – SOS Enfants Soldats
27 Juana Molina – Tres Cosas