Lyambiko and Sara Tavares: European divas with African roots

by Daniel Brown

Article published on the 2009-11-07 Latest update 2009-11-06 15:23 TU

Lyambiko
(Photo: artist website)

World Tracks meets two courageous women whose soul-searching has fed into their thoughtful music. Their roots are buried deeply into the African continent but they have been watered by their experiences of living in Europe…

Sara Tavares
(Photo: artist website)

Thirty-one-year-old Sara Tavares released her fourth album Xinti in mid- 2009. It is the result of more soul-searching on her identity which is split between her Cape Verdean origins and her adopted country Portugal.

Tavares’ music is streaked with a swathe of melancholy that she taps into for her biting compositions. Her previous album Balancé, released in 2006, signalled a gruelling three-year concert period that left her with a strong desire to withdraw and compose. The result has been “Feel it”. her most accomplished release so far.

German jazz singer Lyambiko has not tapped into her Tanzanian roots to the same degree as her Cape Verdean counterpart. Her latest  album is devoted to the great Nina Simone. However, the vocalist has taken time out to seek her family in Tanzania. And she has established a reputation for social committment she shares with the singer’s icon Nina Simone.

Lyambiko
(Photo: artist website)

Lyambiko’s current tour, for example, will include a benefit concert for the Tuwapende Watoto foundation This NGO is building a children’s home near Dar es Salaam…

 

 

 

 

Quiz of the week What label is Sara Tavares signed to? The answer is in the programme. You are invited to listen to it and send your answers to [e-mail].