UXUKALHUS

The Portuguese band Uxu Kalhus is celebrating their 10th anniversary with a concert DVD called "Ao Vivo", i.e. live. The group was founded a decade ago, and already then made their first few steps into fusing traditional Portuguese music with world music. Their debut recording in 2006 was more traditional based, the follow-up in 2009 has been in the group's eyes a revolution bringing Portuguese music in realms never heard of before. One thing for sure, this concert presents a very different line-up from their appearance at the 2008 Rudolstadt festival. In the eye of the storm is the lively singer Joana Margaça, surrounded by Paulo Pereira (transverse flute, recorder, oboe) and Antonio Bexiga (electric guitar), who also perform with the No Mazurka Band, as well as Eddy Slap (electric bass guitar), André Lourenço (keyboards) and Luis Salgado (drums). It is jazz rock and world music with folksy roots, sometimes reminiscing a Portugese version of Jethro Tull. "Saia da Carolina" and "O Velho" are Uxu Kalhus' big hits, and as thus repeated in the encore. 
After 95 minutes I'm convinced that Portuguese music is not all about fado, Portuguese music is able to celebrate the joys of life as well. / in folkworld #44, March 2011