Band, 1991–1995

The group La Tour existed in Brockton (USA) during the first half of the 1990s. At first, it was formed by Galvão (bass), Tony Baca Brabu (keyboards), Pulonga Bita (vocals), José Azancoth (vocals), Pulan Miranda (guitar), and Jimmy Delact (drums). Philipe Monteiro was soon invited to join as a second keyboardist. The name was given by Galvão, who was a French teacher.

After some time, the lineup changed: Tony Baca Brabu was replaced by Patchely on keyboards; Tchico Évora took Jimmy’s place on drums; and Pulan left, with Luís Karantonis becoming the guitarist. Later, Calu di Guida joined as rhythm guitarist, while Karantonis played lead guitar. When the latter left the group, Pulan returned for a short period before leaving permanently. When Patchely, in turn, left, Tommy Fontes joined as keyboardist, according to information provided by Calu di Guida to Cabo Verde & its Music – Virtual Museum.

In 1994, Calu and Galvão left and later, in Boston, went on to form Uprising. La Tour performed only once after that and then ceased its activities. The group recorded a single discographic project at the Mendes Brothers’ studio, but the album was never released.

However, a CD released in 1995, Crítica, bears the name La Tour, even though the group no longer existed at that time, according to Calu. He explains what happened: “Three members of La Tour – José Azancoth (vocals), the only one from the original lineup, Philipe Monteiro (keyboards and vocals), and Luís Karantonis (now on bass) – joined Zé Timas (guitar) and Tchesco (vocals) and formed a band called Jazz Cape, and it was this group that recorded the album. However, given the reputation that La Tour already had in the community, they decided to use the group’s name on the Crítica project, but La Tour had already disappeared when they recorded that album,” says Calu di Guida.

Jazz Cape was a transitional designation that “did not represent nor correctly reflect the musical style that the group wanted to affirm,” recalls Zé Timas, who also has memories from that period: “The name La Tour already existed, even though not many people knew of its presence – or perhaps simply ignored it. When I joined the group, I told my colleagues about the need to adopt a new name, since another jazz group already existed with the same name. From there, Majestik was born, a name that we used for a short period.” (Zé Timas, interview with Cabo Verde & Its Music – Virtual Museum, December 2025)

However, when the group’s only album was released, the name La Tour was revived: “I don’t recall exactly how or why, but at the end of the recording session one of the members of Majestik – who had previously also been part of La Tour – took control and, in agreement with the album’s executive producer, Crítica, brought back the name La Tour,” he says. “The album Crítica was successful, but it also brought some disenchantment and, unfortunately, was marked by episodes of blatant dishonesty.”

Discography

Crítica, CD, self-released by the group, Brockton, 1995.