Massukos profile picture

Massukos

About Me

Superstars in their native country of Mozambique, Massukos have been hailed as "the next Buena Vista Social Club". They have sold more than 80,000 copies of their debut album and their sensational secodn album Bumping - featuring jazz legends Harry Beckett and Steve Buckley - went to number 6 in the European World Music Charts.
Massukos have an enviable reputation as the country's most successful band but they are also making their mark as initiators of social change. Originating from Niassa in northern Mozambique, one of the poorest parts of Africa, Massukos speak out against the hardships that have affected their lives. Passionate about what they do, the band travels for miles to remote villages to deliver simple life-saving messages about hygiene and sanitation. Feliciano dos Santos - the leader of Massukos - is also the director of Estamos, who are involved with the installation of latrines and clean water points, as well as hygiene and HIV/AIDS education. In Aprii 2008, he was awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize, a Nobel prize equivalent for grassroots activists.
With rave reviews from their new album and from their UK tours where they have appeared at WOMAD (2007) and Glastonbury (2008), the band's success story is set to continue.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 3/5/2007
Band Website: www.massukos.com
Band Members: Feliciano dos Santos: composer, vocals and acoustic guitar
Simão Ribeiro Fontes: composer, vocals and hand drums
Nuno Miguel Militar Antonio: composer, vocals and electric guitar
Merce Manuel Nambale: vocals
Dionísio Robate Caisse: bass guitar
Mbedo Luis Benjamin Ligundo: drum kit
Manuel Williamo Dihuaia: spade, hand drums
Carlos Alvaro Socrates: keyboards, acoustic guitar

Guest Musicians on Bumping:
Harry Beckett: trumpet
Steve Buckley: bass clarinet, alto sax
Dean Brodrick: keyboards & accordeon


Influences: Sounds of the world
Afro Latin grooves
Jazz
Reggae
Bob Marley
Youssou N'Dour
Traditional music: Chioda, Nganda, Chissiakasa, Beny, Dance, Chitawala, Tufo

Sounds Like: Youssou N'Dour, Ismael Lo, Salif Keita, Bob Marley, Papa Wemba, Toure Kunda, Bhundu Boys
Record Label: Poo Productions Ltd
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Massukos play Glastonbury

Massukos bring their "musical sunshine" to the Jazz World stage at Glastonbury. It's mid afternoon, the crowd is dancing and the sun is out!
Posted by on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:09:00 GMT

Leader of Massukos wins world’s largest environmental award

Feliciano dos Santos  leader of Mozambiquan band Massukos  is the African winner of this year's Goldman award. Often referred to as the Nobel Prize for the environment, the Goldman award is the worl...
Posted by on Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:47:00 GMT

Massukos play for sick children & prisoners in Mozambique

On the 2th December 2007, Massukos brought their joyous and uplifting sounds to over 50 sick children at the Christman Hospital in Lichinga, Mozambique. This event followed on from various other socia...
Posted by on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 04:51:00 GMT

Bumping voted No. 6 in Septembers European World Music Charts & 1 on RDP-Africa Portugal

Bumping went straight in to the European World Music charts in August at No. 19 and jumped to No. 6 in the September. Radio World Music specialists from 23 European countries select their individual t...
Posted by on Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:58:00 GMT

Bumping awarded Songlines "Top of the World"

Massukos's album Bumping is selected as a Top of the World album in this months edition of Songlines and Mudacia Wana features on the covermount CD. The review calls the album a "glorious showing".
Posted by on Mon, 03 Sep 2007 05:17:00 GMT

New female vocalist joins the band

Merci Manuel Nambale joins Massukos as their new female vocalist. After a long search, the band finally discovered the talented Merci representing Niassa in a national competition of vocalists in Moza...
Posted by on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:31:00 GMT

Massukos arrive in the UK

Massukos return to the UK, one band member short and one day late. Despite monumental bureaucratic obstacles including biometric testing, missing visas, last-minute flight changes and cancelled London...
Posted by on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 07:19:00 GMT

****Guardian Review

Robin DenselowFriday July 6, 2007The Guardian****In Africa, as in Brazil, it seems that idealism and great music go together with ease. After the recent shows by AfroReggae, those musical social worke...
Posted by on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 06:36:00 GMT

Physical Release Date for Bumping: 9 July

Massukos will be releasing their album Bumping on the 9th July 2007 to be distributed by Harmonia Mundi. Click here to download press release:http://www.pooproductions.org/press/bumping-press-re lease....
Posted by on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 08:47:00 GMT

Massukos visit to UK Confirmed

Massukos are all set and will be visiting the UK 25 July  1 August to promote their new album and continue raising awareness about the inspirational development work they do in their home country of ...
Posted by on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 08:44:00 GMT