20 April 2023 – Mestre Boa Voz
Last night, during our Capoeira class, Mestre Poncianinho told us that Mestre Boa Voz had passed away and talked a little bit about his music. We started playing two by two with a song of his that we all know so well and love: “Lenda Viva (aka Mandei caiá)”.
Later, at the end of the class we all sang “Chamado de Angola (aka Chama eu)” – which Mestre Boa Voz sings so soulfully in his Vol. 1 album.
Chamado de Angola (Boa Voz)
[chorus]
Chama eu, chama eu
Chama eu, Angola chama eu
Chama eu, chama eu
Chama eu, Angola chama eu[Verse 1]
Numa viagem pra África
Oi numa viagem pra África
O meu mestre esteve lá
Em busca dos fundamentos
Da nossa capoeira
[Verse 2]
Vi falar do embondeiro
Que faz casa pra morar
Falar dos negros cuanhama
É uma tribo que tem lá
[Verse 3]
O dinheiro é o kuanza
O Quimbundo é pra falar
Capoeira vai crescendo
Bassula pra derrubar
[Verse 4]
Canta Dionísio Rocha
Diferente no cantar
O povo diz pagimne
Pedindo paz pro lugar
[Verse 5]
Muchima é coração
Que bate forte ao chegar
Parece que diz baixinho
Me leve um pouco pra lá
[Verse 6]
Cabeçada é quitunga
Luanda é a capital
Atabaque é ningoma
Hungo vira berimbau
[Verse 7]
Negro nascido na terra
Não pode no chão pisar
Pode ser campo minado
A guerra ainda ta lá
[Verse 8]
O tempo lá vai rolando
Quem manda em mim é Deus
Quando ele me abençoar
Eu vou lá te conhecer
When I was training with Dança da Liberdade, back in the days when we used physical CDs and internet music wasn’t as available, his vol I & II albums were played regularly and I got to know them well. His voice and musicality helped me develop the love that I have for Capoeira music.
I was always engrossed listening to his songs as they tell many stories, some heart wrenching, about slavery, history, Capoeira and culture.
His name, Boa Voz, says it all. He was a cantador and released a few albums. Up to volume 4 I believe? Boz Voz Volumes 1 – 4, Reflexōes (with Abadá) group and probably more I don’t know of.
A few tribute videos have been posted on YouTube – here’s one of them.
Boa Voz, was born Sebastião Pelegrini de LJ Mattos on September 25, 1959, Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro. He started Capoeira in 1979, and then started training with Mestre Camisa, founder of Abadá group.