Dancas Ocultas - Tarab (2020)

Danças Ocultas are four accordionsts from Agueda near Porto who are among the most innovative and most exciting representatives of contemporary Portuguese music. For some years now they have been rising on the international world music scene – with an apparently very simple concept: quiet, lyrical, more or less traditional, with only four diatonic accordions.

The quartet’s name has nothing to do with esoteric spheres but means that Dancas Ocultas play music for dances that still have to be invented. Famous Fado plays a minor role, the band’s inspiration comes rather from traditional village music, Tango Nuevo and the chamber music e.g. of the Russian Terem Quartet. They neither indulge in virtuosity competitions, nor do they play pure folk music. “Impressionist Folk” is maybe the best label for this timeless art music: minimalist, profound sound paintings full of unexpected turns and noble melancholy. Very special music – impossible to escape its magnetism.

One of the first supporters of Danças Ocultas was Gabriel Gomes, the accordionist of Portugal’s most famous world music band Madredeus. He motivated them to explore their own sound worlds. Their collaboration with choreographer Paul Ribeiro and the Gulbenkian Ballet, regular appearances at international festivals and a highly acclaimed showcase at Womex 2010 have brought them international recognition far beyond the Portuguese borders.

Line up
Artur Fernandes – diatonic accordion
Francisco Miguel – diatonic accordion
Filipe Cal – diatonic accordion
Filipe Ricardo – diatonic accordion

Tracklist:
01. Dancas Ocultas - Héptimo (4:33)
02. Dancas Ocultas - O Diabo Tocador (4:55)
03. Dancas Ocultas - Luzazul (5:01)
04. Dancas Ocultas - Fa'bula (2:31)
05. Dancas Ocultas - Rumor (2:07)
06. Dancas Ocultas - Tarab (5:14)
07. Dancas Ocultas - Pulsão (2:42)
08. Dancas Ocultas - Abrigo (3:07)
09. Dancas Ocultas - Esse Olhar (5:06)
10. Dancas Ocultas - Aragem (3:28)