Calema releases new EP, Voyage Part 1
Highlight for the single "Distinu" in collaboration with Dino d'Santiago
The acclaimed duo Calema, composed of brothers Fradique and António Mendes Ferreira, today released their long-awaited EP entitled Voyage Part 1.
This work celebrates the artists’ African roots, bringing deep stories of family, emigration and resilience. One of the highlights of the EP is the single “Distinu“, which features a special appearance by Dino d’Santiago.
The introduction to the Voyage Part 1 EP is a nostalgic journey that takes us to the beginning of Calema’s career. It all started when Fradique was at the beach and, together with family members, they decided to call Antônio, who was on his grandfather’s farm. Together, they moved to the city to participate in a festival, to which they had not been officially invited. However, they managed to get on stage and sing two songs. The public’s reaction was so positive that the brothers realized that they had not chosen the music, but rather, the music had chosen them.
This family connection is present in the single “Distinu“, a moving tribute to the Calemas’ maternal grandfather, known as Nho Toto. The song narrates the difficult trajectory of emigration from Cape Verde to São Tomé, facing adversity and seeking a better future. The collaboration with Dino d’Santiago brings emotional depth and a powerful relationship with the history of many African families.
The EP Voyage Part 1 also contains three more songs: “Xinguinha” – a tribute to the Calemas’ paternal grandmother, recalls the times of family togetherness around the typical São Tomé dish, calulu; “Alice” – This song tells the story of a young European woman who falls in love with a place during her vacation in São Tomé. A song that explores the challenges of summer love with different realities; and “Diaxi Má Kua Buaru” – With a title that means “the day things improve” in Portuguese, the song talks about an emigrant who leaves his homeland and his family in search of better conditions.
This EP was created during the pandemic, a period of deep reflection for Calema. The songs express the desire to relate to their roots and homelands, highlighting the importance of family and the sacrifices made for love.
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