Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Convert

When I first moved to Maputo in early 2006, I noticed that much of the city's nightlife was dominated by electronic music, specifically house. I've never really been into this style of music, and admittedly found it a bit annoying in the beginning. All I really wanted when I moved here was to find a club that played salsa and merengue, or at least some type of latin-inspired music that I could dance to...

After several months here, I warmed to Mozambique's unique Afro-Latino style of music and started really enjoying artists like Lizha James, Dama do Bling, Zico, MC Roger, etc. Although it's not the most intellectual music ever produced, it's wonderful for dancing and certainly captures the feel of this country.

More surprising than my enjoyment of Afro-Latino music (it's really just a step off from the salsa and merengue I was craving, mixed with some hip-hop and a slightly different beat) is the fact that I've now become a lover of house music! It sort of crept up on me, until one day last month when I found myself downloading songs in the electronic section of iTunes and copying my friend Heleno's extensive collection of house music.

I don't think it's necessarily about the music, though I do definitely like the style and agree that it's some of the best stuff around to guarantee an upbeat night out. No, I think it has to do much more with the memories associated with the songs. I now have many fond memories of Maputo. This city definitely feels like home in many ways (though in others, I still feel like the supreme fish out of water), and each good night out dancing or spent driving around in the company of friends, it just reinforces the connection between good times in Maputo and the unique soundtrack of this place.

Proof positive that I am in a Maputo-inspired music appreciation phase is the soundtrack I've chosen for my first few days driving around in the silver CRV: all house music. I am especially obsessed with the song "Bleeding Heart" by David Vendetta feat. Rachel Starr. Definitely my Maputo memories song of the moment.

5 comments:

Toni M Photography said...

:) It's hard for me not to love this style of music, as my Partner, DJ'd with this style... I'll e-mail you through some stuff I lovee if you'd like....

Big hugs,
Love Toni

Anonymous said...

good to see some more blog postings, the days get closer to getting there, it's a little more than 2 months until I get there so I am looking forward to it.

Anonymous said...

try driving listening to RISE UP by YVES LAROCK. it feels a little played out, but it gives you such a high to blast it and ride through maputo.Granted you cant go too fast in these tight spaced streets...but its fun. And it makes you feel totally empowered...:) enjoy the CRV.and watch out because its easy to scrape in this crazy city.

Francesca said...

Oh dancing in Maputo is one of my favourite Mozambican memories as well, among many others ;)

Take care you!

Ali Ambrosio said...

~Toni - Please, please, please!! I would love to get some new music. Thanks so much for the offer. Hope you are doing well...

~Brendan - Yep, there was a little lag in posting there, but we are now back to normal in La Loca land. I can't believe how quickly time is passing. You'll get here just before I take off for a month of wedding and honeymoon, I believe.

~Anonymous - I will definitely check out this song. The fact that you can't really drive fast in Maputo is my saving grace (not that I am a super fast driver myself, it just helps that at least the crazies and the chapistas are forced to go relatively slow!). And yes, definitely super easy to scrape up your car here. Fingers crossed I won't have this experience!

~Francesca - We did have some awesome nights out when you were here. Saudades, amiga. :)