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In addition to seven albums of their own, the Mendes Brothers have helped to promote the music of their homeland as owners of the MB record label. Artists that have been produced by Mendes Brothers include Bana, Tito Paris, Gil Semedo, Kafala Brothers, Tino Trimó, Talulu, Agusto Cego, Gardenia Benros, Mirri Lobo, Djosinha, Sãozinha, and 6 albums by The Mendes Brothers
Born in the small village of Palonkon on the island of Fogo, the Mendes Brothers emigrated to the United States in 1978. Shortly after their arrival, the brothers formed a band to perform Cape Verdean and Angolan music. In 1980, Haitian keyboardist Nono was invited to the band's leadership, composing original songs and serving as musical director. In 1982, the Mendes Brothers would record their debut LP, entitled “Um Novo Método” (A New Method). This was the first Cape Verdean album to combine the musical traditions of Cape Verde, Haiti and Angolan Semba in one album. After the album the brothers began taking music to professional level. It was then that Ramiro Mendes began studying classical guitar and João Mendes began studying voice. Ramiro would enroll in the Berklee College of Music in Boston to study Commercial Arranging and Film Scoring in 1986, completing his studies in 1993. While still at the school, Mendes produced several albums, namely, “Angola Minha Namorada” for Waldemar Bastos of Angola, “Distinu di Belita” and “Mar Azul”, the two albums that officially launched the career of Cesaria Evora.
Launching MB Records in 1992, the Mendes Brothers began work on their debut album, Palonkon. The album was released in summer of 1993 to great success in Cape Verde and Angola, spinning several hit songs, including “Angola Beleza Natural”, “Angola Na Paz” and “Helena”. Their 1995 Boston Music Awards winning album, “Bandera” launched a new Cape Verdean musical movement by the same name and is largely responsible for re-launching the Angolan musical style of “Semba” with its phenomenal mega hits such as “Angola Kuia”, “Balumuka PALOPs”, “Madalena” and “Si”. The album became an anthem in Angola and greatly helped to promote Semba throughout the world. Other recordings by Mendes Brothers include “Torri di Control” in 1997, “Para Angola Com Um Xi Coração”, in 1998, an album totally dedicated to the peace and reconciliation of Angola, “Satélite Zamby” in 1999.
Since founding MB Records Ramiro and John have created a highly sought-after music catalog, featuring all the prominent stars of African-Lusophone music. Today MB Records is the leading producer and licensor of African-Lusophone music, with such clients as Heineken Beer, RDF Television, Grassroots Pictures, BMG, Iris Musique, World Connections, As Entertainment, Edel, World Music Network, Oxfam, Arc Music, Union Square Music, Putumayo World Music, Ellipsis Arts, Rounder Records, Shanachie Records, Sheer Sound, Mondicor Records, MoviePlay and Vidisco.
A Grammy Ballot Nominated producing duo, the Mendes Brothers have continuously challenged the status quo and lead the frontier of Cape Verdean music. In 1993, the duo received several Grammy Ballot Nominations for the American R&B albums featuring Elissa Jones (This Melodie) and Antonio TC Cruz (Self-Titled).
Cabo Verde is Mendes Brothers’ latest release in their quest to innovate and transform Cape Verdean music. The critically acclaimed release debuted in May of 2005 to wonderful reviews.
In 2006, the Mendes Brothers wererecognized by the Prime Minister of Cape Verde, Dr. José Maria Neves with a “Medal of Merit” for their invaluable contribution to the music of Cape Verde, while Ramiro Mendes was awarded the “The Order Of Volcano”, the highest civilian medal, the President of Cape Verde, Excellency Pedro Verona Pires, for his distinguished contribution to Cape Verdean music and culture.
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