Search - Paulo Flores :: Ao Vivo

Live at last!

M. Romano | Delmar, NY USA | 08/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Paulo Flores for 10 years and I've yet to hear/see him live. Finally, a live 2 cd set that smokes and sears steak! As a bonus, the live set includes many tracks not available on his studio cd's from his back catalog that's regrettably not easy to find in the USA. If you know of a Lusafrican community check out the little shops that sell cd's.

This album features a full complement of horns and plenty of hand-on-skin percussion. This Angolan vocalist/guitarist is one of the country's national treasures. His plaintive voice combined with some fine tuned melodies underpinned by percolating percussion and deep bass lines make for a powerful mosaic. The live treatments of studio tracks are another gift from this talented artist. They stretch out but also hold surprises rather than endless repetition of studio riffs.

"Clarice" on the studio "Recompasso" cd is a midtempo cut that's hypnotic with a steady bass line. Live Flores turns up the heat and transforms it from hot to hotter.

I wouldn't pass up a chance to see him live. Don't pass up a chance to hear him. Beg, borrow or do whatever to get a copy of this excellent set. Buy his "Xe Povo" cd first then listen to him live. You'll thank the gods of newly found sounds!"