24 Apr “Do Cabo do Mundo: A Tribute to Fausto” releases its first single
“Do Cabo do Mundo – an immigrant tribute to Fausto” unveils its first listening moment: “Por Este Rio Acima”, now available on all digital platforms.
Performed by Nani Medeiros, the single marks the beginning of the recording journey of a project that brings together four voices with distinct paths, deeply rooted in traditional music: Luca Argel, Nancy Vieira, Nani Medeiros, and Selma Uamusse.
Conceived by Carlos Cesar Motta and Fred Martins, the project draws from the work of Fausto Bordalo Dias, reinterpreting it through the lived experience of immigrant artists based in Portugal, blending African and Brazilian origins into a contemporary reading of one of the most important repertoires in Portuguese music.
The choice of “Por Este Rio Acima” establishes a direct connection to one of Fausto’s most iconic albums. In this version, the song finds a renewed breath through the voice of Nani Medeiros, a Brazilian singer based in Lisbon whose artistic path bridges Brazilian popular music and fado, leading her to stages across Portugal and abroad.
She is accompanied on the track by Fred Martins (acoustic guitar), Rolando Semedo (bass), Pri Azevedo (accordion), Carlos Cesar Motta (percussion), and Kito Siqueira (winds), who also co-arranged the piece with Carlos Cesar Motta.
“This project was born from the desire to revisit Fausto’s work through the experience of those who now live in Portugal coming from other geographies. The poetic and musical richness of his work allows for this kind of reinterpretation. We chose ‘Por Este Rio Acima’ as the first single because of the importance this album holds in Fausto’s artistic journey, and because of my personal connection to that universe.”
— Carlos Cesar Motta (Musical Director)
With a band composed entirely of immigrant musicians, “Do Cabo do Mundo – an immigrant tribute to Fausto” builds a musical language grounded in polyrhythm and cross-cultural encounter, placing percussion at its core and opening new approaches to the repertoire.
The second single, “Foi por Ela,” will be released on May 8th.
The full album arrives on digital platforms in July, with a physical release scheduled for September.
Independently released, with digital distribution by Symphonic, the record is co-produced by Casa Varela and Teatro-Cine de Pombal.
From top to bottom, left to right:
1) Luca Argel – ©Kristallenia Batziou
2) Nani Medeiros
3) Nancy Vieira – ©Augusto Brázio
4) Selma Uamusse – ©Ana Viotti
CREDITS
Project creators:
Carlos César Motta and Fred Martins
Musical direction & arrangements:
Carlos César Motta, Fred Martins, and Kito Siqueira
Guest artists:
Nancy Vieira – vocals
Selma Uamusse – vocals
Luca Argel – vocals
Nani Medeiros – vocals
Band:
Carlos César Motta – percussion
Lizz Marchi – percussion
Daniel Félix – percussion
João Pitta – guitar
Rolando Semedo – bass
Pablo Marques & Kito Siqueira – brass
Pri Azevedo – keyboards / accordion