The Moon Is Ours: Hot Mule re-issue momentous works from José Carlos Schwarz
'Lua Ki Di Nos' sees the influential music from the Bissau-Guinean troubadour presented on a highly-collectable vinyl release
Re-issue specialists Hot Mule Recordings have delivered a shining beam of melodic delight with news of the latest stage of their righteous quest to unearth and resurrect forgotten gems from the universe of spellbinding music. Here, they present to the world an immersive collection of works from Bissau-Guinean artist, poet, and activist, José Carlos Schwarz, in an album entitled 'Lua Ki Di Nos'.
Though his work is perhaps less well known than it deserves to be, Schwarz is an artist whose legacy is assured thanks to both the gravity of his work, and also the socio-political landscape from which it was born. In the early '70s, Guinea-Bissau was in the midst of a bitter war for independence, and it was during this volatile moment that Schwarz, along with musicians Aliu Bari, Mamadu Bá and Samakê, formed the Cobiana Djazz band – a group who garnered fervent local popularity due, in part, to their determination to play West African gumbé music, and Schwarz' choice to sing in the local Creole language rather than the language of the country's Portuguese oppressors. Through their powerful music and the politically-minded spirit of their lyrics, the band played a significant role in shaping the independence-driven consciousness of the masses – helping to endow the citizens with a strong sense of Bissau-Guinean identity. Tragically, Schwarz died unthinkably young in a plane crash in 1977, and as far as we understand, the only recordings of his work that were released came after his untimely death.
“These songs are cornerstones in Guinea-Bissau's cultural patrimony,” Hot Mule's Louis told CosmicTiger. “But many African music lovers who are familiar with bands like Super Mama Djombo don't know about José Carlos Schwarz, Ernesto Dabo – one of modern gumbé's pioneers – or Aliu Barry, who wrote the gorgeous 'Na Kolonia' during the band's exile in Portugal. So, we are thrilled to bring these songs back to a wider audience and to carry this reissue in close collaboration with the Schwarz family.”
Hot Mule worked alongside one of Schwarz' sons who is a musician currently based in Lisbon, Remna Schwarz, to bring the project to life. Remna shared stories and anecdotes which Louis was happy to pass on to us. “Years ago, when he was younger and not exactly familiar with his father's music, Remna was walking around the streets of Bissau with a friend when he heard music that [struck] a chord,” said Louis. “Oddly moved by the unknown melody and words coming out of some house, he stood there and listened. When he asked his friend if he knew what this music was, his buddy replied in disbelief: 'it is called Lua Kata Kema, this is one of your dad's songs dude!'.”
Understandably, the label are brimming with pride to share this incredible music with the world. The 11-track vinyl album, which will be released in April, has been lovingly remastered and comes with extensive sleeve notes alongside three bonus tracks. The music powerfully evokes a sense of optimistic defiance, but also measures of unabated joy and searing melancholy. Our choice to play you is the rousing, spirit-lifting groove of 'Tiu Bernal', which is arguably one of the album's standouts. In truth, though, the whole collection is wholly deserving of attention.
Finally, turning back to the song 'Lua Kata Kema', which Schwarz' son Remna was so surprised to hear was one of his father's compositions, Louis shared that this chance encounter with that particular composition helped inform the project in its own magical way. “I love the metaphor used by JCS here,” he said. “The sun represents the Portuguese troops, in opposition to the moon, which is the resistance. We both connected with that song, so we agreed to name the record after the chorus: Lua Ki Di Nos – the moon is ours.”
José Carlos Schwarz 'Lua Ki Di Nos' is out April 9 on Hot Mule, you can buy it here
