Vasco Martins Universo Da Ilha

Canela En Surco, a new label set up by the Barcelona radio show of the same name, sets off with a reissue of the 1986 Cape Verdean ambient synth masterpiece, Vasco Martins' “Universo da Ilha”.

Originally conceived as a book of six poems that developed into a record, released independently in 1986, Universo Da Ilha sits at the cross-section of many different genres. Connecting contemporary New Age and ambient minimalist movements with traditional West African and Cape Verdean elements from the past (griot voices, djembe rhythms, melancholic morna), Vasco constructed his own “universe” where, in spite of the isolation of the island at the time, he transcended barriers and created a global record that was ahead of its time.

Vasco played synths and drum machines, and with the help of a small group of friends (Tey Gonçalves on percussion, Neney’s amazing griot voice, Luis Morais on sax and flute), he recorded this Not-Balearic-but-Atlantic Ambient odyssey on a 16-channel Peavey mixer directly to an Akai tape recorder, without overdubs.

Studio Gear Used: Korg MS-20, Korg MS-50, Korg Analog Sequencer, Yamaha DX-7, Roland Juno-106, Korg Delta

Canela en Surco started as a radio show six years ago in Barcelona’s Raval neighborhood, with a strong connection to the Celtic nation of Galicia and especially its Costa da Morte (Death Coast). Although Canela En Surco will always pay special attention to music made near the Atlantic Ocean and sung in Galician, Portuguese or Creole, label owners Abu Sou (Breixo Martínez) & Chez Ed (Eduardo Sánchez) promise to include a wider spectrum of genres - from Ambient Folk to Cosmic Synth to dance music - in subsequent releases.
The story behind this reissue starts two years ago, while record digging on a steep, narrow street in the Upper District of Lisbon, where Breixo Martínez found this sought-after Cape Verdean rarity that immediately blew his mind. Afterwards a friendship with the artist blossomed, the result of which is this record.

The LP comes in the original artwork, with an insert including pictures, lyrics, and a statement by the artist.