Fausto

Fausto Bordalo Dias, known to many only by his first name, has enjoyed a musical career blending African, Indian, Celtic, and Portuguese influences that has spanned several decades. The songwriter/performer has had a significant presence below the surface of pop recognition in his native Portugal from the ’70s through the 2000s and beyond. Fausto’s wide-ranging stylistic influences and progressive political/social themes established him as a leader in the genre early on, a role he has maintained ever since. Born aboard a ship traveling between Portugal and Angola in 1948, Fausto grew up in the Portuguese colony of Nova Lisboa, located in central Angola. His upbringing and education in Africa left a mark on Fausto that would come to characterize his career. At the age of 20 Fausto moved to Portugal, forming the band Os Rebeldes (the Rebels). His work with the group got him plugged into the progressive music circles, where he began to hear the life of a solo artist calling. That call was answered with the release of his eponymous solo debut in 1970, followed four years later by Pró Que Der a Vier. His sophomore album, Um Beco com Saida, arrived in 1975, and a fourth release, Madrugada dos Trapeiros, was issued two years after that. His discography continued to grow, producing an enormous catalog of repertoire both deeply rooted in Portuguese culture and drawing in world music influences. Fausto’s 1982 release, Por Este Rio Acima, was quickly regarded as a landmark album in Portuguese musical history. Fausto wields considerable influence on Portugal’s pop music world. His music is often cited as influential by the nation’s top-charting artists, and his records continue to maintain a strong presence on Portuguese airwaves. His 2007 compilation, 18 Cancoes de Amor e Mais de Ressentido Protesto, peaked at number 12 on airplay charts, maintaining a spot in the Top 40 for six weeks following its release. Em Busca das Montanhas Azuis followed in 2011. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez