“Cais D’Port Inglês,” a morna from Carmen Souza‘s upcoming album Port’Inglês, reflects on the cultural exchanges between Cape Verde and the United Kingdom during the British presence on the islands. This deeply personal track explores how Cape Verdean culture absorbed British customs while also sharing its own traditions. As Souza explains, “In the process, we learn from others and take a part of them with us.” The song captures themes of loss, identity, and the shared heritage carried across the sea.

Supported by Arts Council England and distributed by Galileo Music Communication, the album delves into the untold stories of Cape Verde’s colonial past, the struggle for decolonisation, and its profound cultural connections with the UK. Blending Cape Verdean rhythms like morna, funaná, and contradança with jazz and English folk influences, Souza explores themes of identity, resistance, and cultural exchange.

The album comes to life through an ensemble of international musicians, including her long-time collaborator Theo Pascal and jazz artists from Mozambique, Portugal, the UK, and Angola, reinforcing the album’s celebration of cultural interconnectedness.

To launch Port’Inglês, Carmen Souza will embark on an international tour with performances in Germany, Austria, Portugal, and the UK. The tour will culminate in the album’s launch concert on the 30th November 2024 at London’s Crazy Coqs, offering audiences a deep dive into her unique fusion of Cape Verdean Afro-Luso traditions and jazz fusion.

You can find more info and listen to Carmen Souza’s music on her official website