For the fourth instalment in their ongoing series devoted to the joyous African rhythms of São Tomé & Principe, the Lusophone island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, Bongo Joe are focusing their attention on the storied life and career of Pedro Lima, “A voz do povo de São Tomé” (the people's voice of Sao Tomé).
“Recordar é viver: Antologia Vol. 1”, out August 19 and featuring some previously unreleased tracks, is a comprehensive look into the discography of one of the islands’ biggest stars, known for his political outspokenness as much as for his soft voice, delicate rumbas, and highenergy puxas.
Curated by French digger DJ Tom B, the compilation follows the reissue of Lima’s seminal album Maguidala, and the release of the much loved compilation Léve Léve: São Tomé & Principe sounds 70s-80s and most recently África Negra‘s Antologia Pt.1.
The story begins in Almas, a coastal town with a lively music scene a few kilometres away from the capital Sao Tomé, where two childhood friends dreamed of following in the footsteps of local bands like Grupo Musical Almense and Conjunto Almeirim. Unable to afford their own instruments, Leopoldino "Gundu” Silva and Pedro de Apresentação Tavares Lima built a basic bandolim (mandolin, typically used in Sao Tomean popular music) and traditional drum set with what they could find. Despite their rudimentary instruments, their skills and reputation kept growing, and the tide turned dramatically in 1968 when local band Conjunto Os Leoninos dissolved and offered the young conjunto their brand new instruments.