Written by Osvaldo Dos Reis
SodadeOnline.com Senior Editor
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Rabasa recently released its latest studio album “ Pertu di Bo ” at the De Doelen in Rotterdam, Holland . “ Pertu di Bo ” includes many original compositions such as morna, coladera, funana, batuku, mazurka and tabanka, all accompanied by guitar, ukelele, accordion, percussion and trumpet.
With this album Rabasa hopes to completely expose Capeverdean traditional music. “We tend to play traditional Capeverdean music. We believe that there's a market for the modern Pop CV Music but also one for the traditional Capeverdean music,” Joâo Ortet told cvmusicworld.com. “Music is an essential part of Capeverdeans lives. There are no celebrations, family events or church services without music. In this sense, Rabasa is part of a living tradition, one that is alive even in Rotterdam .”
This album has caused quiet a stir within the Dutch critics who have praised Rabasa. The renowned journalist Stan Rijven from the Daily Trouw was the first to give a favorable review to “ Pertu di Bo, ” calling Rabasa “the latest sensation” and concluded his article with the following: “Pertu di Bo"' is the musical remedy against winter blues, which makes Rabasa the ultimate orchestra for all 2004 festivals.”
The Rotterdam-based brothers João, Jorge, Tó and Angelito Ortet, who make up the group's core, came from a farmer's family from the little village of Rui Vaz on the island of Santiago. Inspired by their older brothers Emanuel and Lindo (Lindo is featured as a special guest performer on this CD), they began playing music at a very early age. They performed music and theatre in church and learned the tricks of the trade from their brothers and from playing with the older people in the village.
Rabasa released their self titled debut album “Rabasa” in 1999. In September 2001, the group performed in Cape Verde for the first time before a frenzied crowd at the Cidade Velha festival on the island of Santiago. Their breath taking performance earned them an immediate invitation for the 2002 festival. The group regularly travels to their homeland of Cabo Verde where they perform at numerous festivals.
Besides music, the group is also involved in charitable causes. Rabasa is also a Foundation founded by the four brothers. “The money we make with playing music we use it to support schools in Cape Verde,” said Joâo Ortet. “Through my work as a teacher I get easier access to school equipments, for example computers, school-desk and seats. The Foundation get these things for free, we use the money to transport them.”
Rabasa also finances the music lessons given in the church Nossa Senhora da Paz in Rotterdam. “Our dream is to one day open a music school in Cabo Verde,” Jorge concluded.
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