Review: Buraka Som Sistema "Buraka" (2014)

Buraka é o nome do tão aguardado novo trabalho dos Buraka Som Sistema, lançado no final do mês de Junho.

Buraka Som Sistema
Buraka
Jun 23, 2014

Buraka é um disco especial. Não só é mais sonoro, mais autónomo e mais abrangente, características que definem desta banda que pertence, cada vez mais, ao mundo, quebrando fronteiras e rótulos.
Tendo a globalização na mente - nota-se especialmente em Stoopid com referências (inteligentes) a vários estilos de dança como moonbahton, kuduro ou bondoro.

Buraka Som Sistema representam ritmos, tendências e origens e Buraka é a concretização desse espírito, na sua press release pode ler-se "'Buraka' é sobre música de dança e cultura. É sobre cinco indivíduos criativos numa viagem pessoal pela música, determinados a dar ao mundo um lugar na primeira fila para experienciar um novo estilo de vida global".

Se Buraka é para o mundo, as suas músicas são pequenas peças que contribuem para essa viagem.

Stoopid é o single de apresentação e impulsiona "à explosão e liberdade de cada um", e é essa linha que este disco vai seguir ao longo de pouco mais de 35 minutos.

É um disco que explode energia, boas vibrações e muita vontade de dançar. Buraka incentiva à festa, à celebração num misto de línguas, géneros e culturas.

Essas culturas juntam-se pelo convite feito a artistas menos conhecidos como Alo Wala, Yadi e Bison (e que merecem toda a nossa atenção!)

Se, geralmente, o fim peca sempre... os Buraka Som Sistema mantém a festa com o seu "tchancharan", em Lights Off.

Pelo direito existem uma homenagem (clara) ao Van Damme, apelos à infância africana em Toque e momentos mais íntimos como Sente.

Buraka é único, especial e vive em pleno o mundo multicultural dos (já não tão nossos) Buraka Som Sistema.

Se o disco apela à celebração e à dança, nós, obedientes, não queremos que a festa acabe e, por isso, o disco volta a tocar do início, vezes sem conta.

Zedd - Spectrum

Zedd (Anton Zaslavski) was born 23 years ago in Russia but has been living in Germany since he was a baby.
Zeed is a electronic-dance music producer and the first CD he had was Discovery by Daft Punk and they were the only source of electronic music he had for several years. Later on, Zedd discovered Justice and these two bands were the ones that got him into the electronic music.

So far Zedd produced several remixes including remixes of Born This Way and Marry The Night (hits of Lady Gaga), Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Skrillex) and Save The World (Swedish House Mafia).

Zedd's debut album is called Clarity and it was released in October by Interscope Records.

Spectrum was released as the second single featuring Matthew Koma (the song was wrote by the two artists) and reached umber one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs.

Breathing you in when i want you out

Finding our truth in a hope of doubt

Lying inside our quite drama, A-A-Ah

Wearing your heart like a stolen dream

Opening skies with your broken keys

No one can blind us any longer.

Zedd about his music: I hope that I can touch people with my music. It is electronic dance music, which is usually made for clubs, but I want to reach and touch everyone with my music! I want people to be able to just listen to it when they’re at home, in the car or whenever they like to listen to music. I don’t want to make music that is only made for clubs.

Calvin Harris - We'll Be Coming Back ft. Example

Adam Richard Wiles better known as Calvin Harris is a Scottish DJ and record producer. So far, in 5 years, he has released 3 albums.

Calvin Harris was discovered on MySpace by Tommie Sunshine and released his music on Sunshine's label (Jones Recordings) before recording on Sony BMG.

We'll Be Coming Back was released as he 4th single of the his 4th album called 18 Months, released this July. The song features the participation of Example (English singer and rapper).

The video was directed by the Iranian film and documentary-maker Saman Keshavarz and filmed in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles.

We took it all apart

But I'm wishing I'd stayed

In the back room something I heard you say

We didn't want to call it too early

Now it seems a world away

The Strange Case of Alexandra Burke

Before starting I must say that I’m a huge fan of Alexandra Burke’s voice and expressivity while singing, after reading what I’m about to say you may think the opposite.
I’m going to talk about Alexandra but I could talk about any other singer that fits her, what I can call, profile. She fits the profile of the singer that “has a great voice but doesn’t use it to the maximum”. What do I mean with this?
For those, like me, that discovered Alexandra while she was in X-Factor we know the talent she has.
But what about those who have only listened to her singles?
Such as Bad Boys [link] or Broken Heels [link].

How come those hits sell more than a version full of passion, revealing a huge voice? Because that must be the only reason why she is doing that type of music.
Why is the strategy always the same?! First a dance/pop hit and then an acoustic performance at some random radio?

On the other day I went to a local music shop and I was listening to her new album called Heartbreak on Hold and I was shocked to what I was hearing. The majority of the songs are dance hits that has nothing to do with her nature and that doesn’t testify in her favor.
Do you feel the same? That there’s around the world a lot of talent being wasted in songs that doesn’t show the artist’s real talent?

After going to that music shop I went home and searched for one song, Elephant - the second single from the new album. I heard it again and then searched for other versions, acoustic ones, and look what I found...

Original version:

Although it's a different dimension Lady Gaga can also fit in the profile described above. She is known for her extravagance but taking the exotic and colorful shows, the impressive clothes and the mediatic situations she is in sometimes, there is still one thing: her voice. But somehow in the majority of her songs that's not noticed. Let's take a simple example:

Studio version:

I'm not undervaluing the original songs. But why not use to its maximum the best instrument they were blessed with?

David Guetta, When Love Takes Over

David Guetta is a very known French DJ who is known for collaborating with very known singers and for big hits like Memories, Titanium or Without You.

With 44 years old, he started his career in the 80's on nightclubs but in 2002 a first record, named Just a Little More Love was released creating this way a career outside the usual places and getting him a bit more recognition. Around the year of 2006 Guetta released his first international hit Love Don't Let Me Go.

With four other records Guetta Blaster (2004), Pop Life (2007), One Love (2009) and Nothing But the Beat (2011).

When Love Takes Over was released as lead single of One Love. An early instrumental version was played on Guetta's DJ sets and Kelly Rowland, felt in love with the track and conviced the DJ to be part of the song, writing and recording vocals to it as she explained on an interview: "So I met David and asked him for the track... He gave it to me, and I brought it back here to London, UK and wrote the actual song".

While the song inspired the singer Kelly Rowland to pursuit of dance-music and David Guetta to experiment more urban sounds.
Another different aspect are the lyrics that carry a strong message of euphoria of falling in love with another person.

"Head under water, now I can't breathe
It never felt so good
Cause I can feel it coming over me
I wouldn't stop it if I could"

Sudoeste TMN 2012 Comment: David Guetta is always a curious artist to see. Being a DJ I knew it would be all dance, joy and real party but somehow I was expecting much more than the time  he performed. Some people said it was the organisation order, others said technical issues. Still he did an amazing job, had the capacity to entertain hundreds of people. It was really good to see such a talented DJ.

Review: Salto in Lisbon, FNAC Chiado [Showcase]

On the interview that this amazing band gave us a few weeks ago - find it here - they revealed this showcase that was going to happen on July 30, last Monday.
And gladly we didn't miss it.

With a full, relaxed but excited bunch of people, they started on time and eager to give their everything on that small stage.

Surprisingly, they started with Não Vês Futebol... Probably I was expecting them to follow the record's tracklist since it was a small performance to present their debut record but Salto proved to be a band ready to surprise when you least expect it.
The song has a very electronic introduction with an incredible act with a mix of many interesting instruments.

I was personally curious to see how they would react to this audience but especially how they were on their live performances.

Coração Bate Fora is one of the strongest songs of the record. And I really loved what they did on this showcase. This version was even better and at some point, they had everyone singing their powerful chorus. It's a briliant song!

They followed with Por Ti Demais and Saber Ser. Both incredible and both very well played.
They're always a smart choice on Salto's setlist because they are so danceable, so catchy and warm.
The variations along the songs are so rich, they are really good on what they do.
Salto are great on studio but greater on live performances.
Curious note: For those who know the Portuguese program dedicated to music, Planeta Música, will recognize the excellent guitar riff that appears on the song Por Ti Demais.

O Teu Par is a very beautiful song, a romantic song with a rock touch.
Clearly, one of the public's audience. Claps, dance and joy... This song is very spiritful.

Canção Diagonal is at the end of the record but it's not forgotten. It reminds of a Saturday afternoon, near the beach. Sounds like summer and party.
And Salto's performances are complete parties since the very beginning. Just inspiring!

Sem 100, surprised me. James Blake and Pet Shop Boys are on this song. It's powerful live song where they can really show their value. A highlight to this song, this is really impressive the power of it. Speechless!

The debut single Deixar Cair concluded the small showcase.
Previously, we described the song as "delicious, incredible and really catchy". After the show, I double our description.

It's the best way to end such a strong performance from which they gave their everything.

There was time to laugh, to speak with the audience but it was also clear their sweetness, humbleness and their will to give a big show and include everyone.
The people were really warm and sang every word of each song which is impressive for a band that has just released their album.

At the end, people ask for an encore and Salto made it happen.
After a funny conversation with the audience, the band played O Teu Par and Coração Bate Fora again - the fans were excited.

An unexpected end that proved how bright Salto's future is.

Entrevista // Com Salto

Promoting their debut record, for those who don't know, Salto are a Portuguese band created in 2007 by Guilherme Tomé Ribeiro, Luis Montenegro and Tito Romão.
A few weeks ago, we promoted their single Deixar Cair here.

We described Salto as "Full of personality and freshness from people with early twenties" and gladly that's all confirmed, as you can see on this very relaxed and revealing interview, where they share their story, their dreams and especially their sweetness. But let the interview speak for itself.
First hand information: Salto are performing on Fnac Chiado, next July 30 around 7pm. Don't miss their invitation and the opportunity to see them live!

[Special thanks to Salto for their sweetness, kindness and awesomeness, Maria Lopes for handling all the crazy conversation and for being so nice and to Raquel Lains for everything]

Salto, Deixar Cair

Salto is the Portuguese word for Jump and is also the name of a Portuguese band created in 2007 by Guilherme Tomé Ribeiro and Luis Montenegro, with only 16 years old. Nowadays, they also count with the talented Tito Romão.

In 2010 they were part of Novos Talentos FNAC and Amor Fúria - Depósito de Inúteis from Optimus Discos, participating in big festivals like Optimus Alive.

But 2012 is their year. The homonym album is set to be released next July 2, after a year and a half of hard work. Influenced by such different bands and artists like Rufus Wainwright, Arctic Monkeys or the Portuguese Ornatos Violeta they created a new kind of expression, a new youth style where they celebrate their mother language and mostly where they celebrate Pop.

Full of personality and freshness from people with early twenties, their sound goes somewhere between the 60's to dance, with a bit of New Order and Pet Shop Boys 80's characteristic melodies and at some point some of James Blake.

Salto's record was produced by New Max - better known for being part of Expensive Soul.

The presentation single is the delicious, incredible and really catchy Deixar Cair.

For information about the band check their Facebook page or website.

"Sem ficar eu voltei a cair no que sou.

Sem mostrar fingi não entender aquilo

Que não me disseram nem vão escrever"

Musket, So Tired

Musket is a young Portuguese band, based in Lisbon, composed by three boys: Ricardo (drums), Tomás (bass) and Miguel (guitars), the last two are the singers, changing between songs.

Initially Miguel and Ricardo practised on a small garage but soon Tomás came up and they had to move to a proper rehearsal room, in 2008.
Only two years after they found the perfect four songs to be recorded and that would be included on their first EP - Musket EP, released in early 2011.

According with the band, their creative writing comes from improvise and freely, none of them brings anything from home, they just join together on the rehearsal room and "goes with the flow" until they find something they think it's worth their time and might be used for some song.

But like everything, there are exceptions. So Tired their first single was thought and partly created at home by Miguel and Tomás, during last Summer. For being so different, so peculiar and so promising this song was chosen to be their presentation single, creating a bridge between their EP and their first record, predicted to be released somewhere in next year.
So Tired was a collaboration between Musket and Corvo Records, masterized by Henrique Albuquerque and Rui Pereira. The artwork was ccreated by Núria Murilhas.

You can follow the band on their bandcamp and Facebook.

"I'm so tired

Of you waking me up"

Olly Murs, Dance With Me Tonight

Olly Murs is a 28-year-old English singer-songwriter, who's career started after being part of the TV show The X Factor, in 2009.

With two released studio albums - Olly Murs released in November 2010 and In Case You Didn't Know in November 2011, he got several hits like Please Don't Let Me Go or Hearts Skips a Beat (featuring Rizzle Kicks).

Dance With Me Tonight is taken from In Case You Didn't Know and released as single in November 18, 2011. The song reached the number #1 on several countries like UK and Scotland.

Directed by Marcus Lundin, the video starts with Olly going to a police station and making funny poses to the camera, after being arrested with his friends and loved girl.
The main idea is that Olly is trying to conquer a girl and trows a big party in the middle of the street with dancing, fireworks and music.
The video is set in Putney Bridge and some parts of Fulham, besides snapshots of other places.

This song features the new Muppets movie - on the UK soundtrack as bonus track.

"I was wondering if you and me could spend a minute,

On the floor up and close getting lost in it,

I won't give up without a fight."

Richie Campbell, That's How We Roll

The Portuguese reggae artist Richie Campbell is working on his second album, after the success of My Path, released in 2010.

The first single of his new work is now available for purchase on iTunes and Richie has also shared a video to join this beautiful song.
That's How We Roll video was recorded in Kingston, Jamaica, on two of the most problematic neighborhoods - Creek and Tivoli Gardens. The video was produced by Philip "Jr Blender" Meckseper, directed by Salvador Colaço and edited by Endless Youth.

According to the reggae artist "We chose to record in Jamaica and in these two neighborhoods specifically to show there's something that goes beyond distance, nationality, color and social status. The values. We easily judge who, for not having the same easiness that we do, chooses the wrong way for survival. What we want to show with the music and the video is that in any part of the world, of Portugal, to one of the most dangerous cities of the world we can find people with one common goal, be and make everything to a better world and a better society."

Following this explanation we can understand why the song's title is sang by so many different people with different backgrounds, lifes, jobs and goals.

About the new record, Campbell revealed to Myway "it will be sort of the same style as My Path, maybe with more soul influences and more mature and consistent as the other one".

"We represent fi di people weh them heart not cold,

That's How We Roll!

Step away from the crime and nuh bow down fi gold,

That's How We Roll!

'Cause from you burn violence you haffi burn silence and

Talk to the World!

So put your hand to your heart, get up and do your part

and say... That's How We Roll"

Remember the artist has already several Performances scheduled in Portugal. You can see him on May 17 - Queima de Braga, June 15 - Positive Vibes festival, in Vila Nova de Gaia, July 29 - Sumol Summer Fest and August 3 - Sudoeste TMN.

themed week // Michael Jackson, Smooth Criminal

Michael Jackson is an icon, considered to be the King of Pop due to all his life, career, talent and scandals.
"Michael Jackson is considered to be the most successful entertainer of all times."

To know a bit more about this iconic artist click here.

With 10 studio albums, other many compilations and that only on his solo career, Jackson is a timeless artist influencing artists from several genres and generations.

Smooth Criminal is the seventh single taken from his 1987 album Bad.
The song is about a woman named Annie, who has been attacked on her apartment. Smooth Criminal is also the theme song for Michael Jackson's 1988 movie Moonwalker.

The song had two early versions written in 1985 and a demo was recorded in 1986. A first version was called Chicago 1945 about Al Capone, but didn't make into the album so he re-wrote and work on the song until the known Smooth Criminal.

For a full version check this.

"So they came into the out way
It was Sunday - what a black day
Mouth to mouth resus - citation
Sounding heartbeats - intimidations"

News // LMFAO and Warpaint on Optimus Alive 2012

Last Friday, two more names have been added to the Portuguese festival Optimus Alive!

The duo LMFAO, that are performing in Portugal next March on sold out Porto and Lisbon's coliseums, are returning in July 13 to perform on the alternative stage Palco Heineken, on the same day as Snow Patrol and Justice. Redfoo and Sky Blu are known for hits like Sexy And I Know It (see the video above) and Party Rock Anthem.

Warpaint (on the picture) the fourth north-american girls, known for songs like Elephants or Undertow, are performing on the last day of the festival, July 15th on the same day as The Kills, Radiohead or Caribou.

Check the post about these girls.

Read everything about Optimus Alive!12 here.

M.I.A., Bad Girls

M.I.A. is a short name for Missing In Action, the artistic name for the British with Tamil origins (ethnic group mainly from India and Sri Lanka) Mathangi Maya Arulpragasam.

Her career in arts started in 2000 as visual artist, filmmaker and designer in West London, two years before the start of her music career.
She got noticed in 2004 after the release of her two singles Sunshowers and Galang.

Since 2002, MIA released three albums Arular (2005), Kala (2007), Maya (2010) and there are some rumors of a new album to be released this year, in 2012.

Her music genre can be describe has a mix between hip-hop, dance and rap.
Recently MIA has worked with Madonna on her song Give Me All Your Luvin that also includes the American rapper Nicki Minaj.

Bad Girls is a single released on January 31, 2012. A shorter version appeared on MIA's mixtape Vicki Leekx, released in 2010.
This experimental dance song is a mix of very different genres like R&B and hip-hop.
Pitchfork says that Bad Girls "a very conscious choice and that her pop instincts and talents remain as sharp as ever."

"Yeah back it, back it
Yeah pull up to the bumper game
With a signal
Cover me, cause I'm changing lanes"

News // Shannon Leto returns to Portugal with DJ set

With DJ Antoine Becks, Shannon Leto - better known for being the drummer for 30 Seconds To Mars and also Jared Leto's brother - are coming to Portugal to present a DJ set.

Leto and Becks are performing in Porto - on Swing and Lisbon - Loft respectively on March 30 and 31.

The ticket prices for Porto are 15€ and VIP are 25€ and in Lisbon early purchase 13€, on the day 15€ and VIP tickets also 25€.

Check an excerpt of what you can expect from their performance.

For more information check their website.

3OH!3, Touchin' On My

3OH!3 (pronouned three oh three) is a electronic duo with influences of pop and dance music from Colorado created in 2004.
Composed by Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte, the band's name comes from the code area 303, from where they're from.
The band is also known for their hand signal where thumbs and forefingers touch and form an "O" and the others fingers pointed up forming "3O3".

Having hits like Don't Trust Me, Starstrukk, My First Kiss or Follow Me Down.
With 3 albums released - 3OH!3 (2007), Want (2008) and Streets Of Gold (2010) - and are already preparing a new album to be released this year.

Touchin' On My is the first single taken from Streets Of Gold - being available on both digital and physical single, respectively released on, May 2010 and January 2011.
The song from the electro-pop duo is ironic and a lot of implied words - like on the chorus - where the words aren't said but are absolutely understandable.

"Girl, I gotta go,

I finished with the show

If you wanna me

I won't say no"

Richie Campbell, Everytime I Cry

Richie Campbell is a reggae artist, who's career started in 2004, with Stepacide but got recognized on his solo career.

Richie Campbell is a combination of his name Ricardo and Campbell which is a tribute to two of his favorite artists - Turbulence (Sheldon Campbell) and Admiral T (Chrissy Campbell).

Influenced by Marvin Gaye, Ottis Redding and Bob Marley, he mixes reggae, soul and dance.
With 23 years old, Richie is one of the most successful reggae artists in Portugal and who already work with Kynami Marley and Jason Farmer and also made the first part of Nas & Damien Marley on their performance in Lisbon. A few weeks ago he performed with Alborosie on Campo Pequeno.

In 2008, he was the first Portuguese to achieve the Soundquake top.
In 2010 he released My Path (you can download it for free here), an album with 18 tracks including a participation of Kynami Marley on 911.

Everytime I Cry appears on his debut album My Path.

"Everytime I cry for my baby,

She never comes back

Girl I miss your smile and your body,

My head it's gone off track"

News // Metronomy on Optimus Alive 2012

This English band is confirmed to the festival, being add to confirmations like Radiohead and Florence and The Machine.

Metronomy are going to be on Optimus Alive 12, on July 15, playing near names like Radiohead and Mazzy Star.

This year, Metronomy released their album English Riviera, ending the year on several lists considering it one of the best albums of the 2011.

This will be Metronomy's second visit to Portugal, participating this year on another Portuguese festival Paredes de Coura.

To know more about Optimus Alive 2012 - bands, tickets info and everything else - click here.

Gossip, Heavy Cross

Gossip are an American indie rock band created in 1999.
The actual members are Beth Ditto (vocals and piano), Nathan "Brace Paine" Howdeshell (guitar and bass) and Hannah Blilie (drums), the last one replacing Kathy Mendonça who left the band in 2003.

Gossip's sonority is a mix between indie rock and dance-punk. They are known for songs like Pop Goes The World, Listen Up and Love Long Distance.

The band released 4 EP's - The Gossip (1999), Arkansas Heat (1999), Real Damage (2005) and GSSP RMX (2006) and 4 studio albums - That's Not What I Heard (2001), Movement (2003), Standing In The Way Of Control (2006) and Music For Men (2009).

Music For Men was released on June 29, 2009 by Columbia Records.
The initial critical response was positive, but some criticized the "loud" sound quality of the album.

Heavy Cross is the first single taken from Music For Men and according to Ditto on an interview with NME this song is "I know so many amazing people who devote their lives to undoing things, and I feel that's the essence of punk now because punk's already been done, it's old. It's about recreation and my friends, who I feel like are the ultimate creative re-creators."
Released on April 28, 2009 the single was considered on September 2010 the "most successful internationally produced single" of all times.

"It's a funny way to make ends meet
When the lights are out on every street
It feels alright, but never complete
Without you"

David Guetta (ft Usher) - Without You

Everyone that usually goes to discos knows this song. It's the recent single by the French DJ, David Guetta featuring Usher.

The song was released as the 3th single from David Guetta's fifth studio album, Nothing But The Beat, last month.

It was written by Usher, Taio Cruz, Rico Love, Guetta, Giorgio Tuinfort, Frédéric Riesterer, and it was produced by Guetta, Tuinfort, Riesterer and Black Raw.

Guetta said in an interview for MTV: "Some of the record is a proper ballad, and then it goes to that crazy dance beat. It's perfect for him, because he's famous for his ballads. And he's also now famous for those big club records that he comes with. He's an amazing dancer, so I felt like he was the artist that I needed." - answering the question why he chose Usher for this song.

Insteresting fact: The music video was filmed at the end of July in Portugal, I believe it was at Sudoest TMN (one of the most known summer festivals in Portugal). The video shows cuts of different parties in Thailand, the United States, Brazil and South Africa, etc.


I recogn that this is not the type of music I usually hear or like. But I went for the very first time to a disco this weekend and the DJ played this song (it was the only one I liked to be sincere).
Since that time the song is in my head ALL THE TIME. Mainly because of the rithm, but also because of the lyrics. They may be cliché but they represent the truth.

I can't quit now, this can't be right

I can't take one more sleepless night

Without you

Without you

I won't soar, I won't climb

If you're not here, I'm paralyzed

Without you

Without you

I can't look, I'm so blind

I lost my heart, I lost my mind

Without you

Without you