Puto Anderson [Firma do Txiga] - "Hoje - Ela - Dá"

Life is hard.

But politics is much harder.

The complexities of government are overlooked. While dramatic, the American political establishment fails to echoe Scandal or House of Cards. Far removed from The Thick of It, Whitehall and Downing Street are presumably...competent. Modern Denmark is far removed from Viking invasions. Claiming Borgen to be accurate is preposterous. Still, one false calculation can yield disastrous, long-term results. Although far removed from the Borgia theater company, it was Clausewitz that said, "War is merely a continuation of politics by any other means."

But politics move slow. The world of music and entertainment does not.

Yet the song below combines both of these aspects. Titled, "Hoje - Ela - Dá" the song is a mid-tempo, very percussive tarraxo. The beat is maintained by kick/snare and a djembe syncopates Puto Anderson, joined by by the likes of  Dj Wayne, lays out the track in  a versus format. Bookended by the song's head, two sections, each attributed to a beat-maker, is broken up by the interlude. The real attraction, however, is the four different vocals Teixera juggles. Each plays an equitable role in rhythm and melody. For his part, Wayne adds a second piece of percussion and throws in a synth for good measure. While the bass would benefit from a boost, its presence is validate by Wayne's portion.

Good effort and the download is recommended. A morsel of concern, however, is reserved by the author. Txiga's releases are consistently high quality. But the percussive creativity is not unrivaled and redundancy is rapidly becoming worrisome. Alas, time is able to tell how events will unfold in both love and war.

Notable Mentions: WonderMusik - "Track nº 6"

The second selection cannot, in any way, be described as marital or bellicose.

A considerable amount of confusion, however, was afforded to the author in the writing of this portion.

Not unlike a  Middle East battlefield names and allegiances have become blurred. Names and labels are important. Organization is of the essense. But it should be noted that overlap and similarity in names are akin to a border incursion. At any rate,  Edmilson Sousa/Wk Music is not DJ Jeff or Wonder Musik; the latter of the two producers located South of the River Tejo, in Vale de Amoreira, some 23 miles outside of Lisbon.

Coincidentally, the two are aware of each other (if SoundCloud networking is to be trusted), and furthermore create similar sounds. The generically titled "Track nº 6," is but one example. A mid-tempo kizomba instrumental - the kick/snare beat listed as a 90 BPM track - has the format of a pop song; only vocals are missing. But otherwise, the arrangement is extensive and varied. In addition to piano and floating, Nokia ringtone synths, a melodica and strings are used. Despite no significant bass, the crash-bell transitions are an air of change.

- J.N.

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