He returns with a new album "African Citizen" on the M10 label. His message in the title track is more global. Zé calls for African unity, peace, and stability on all the continents. He delivers his messages in the most beguiling of tenor voices accompanied by his acoustic guitar and percussion. In this latest release, Zé's uniquely innovative talent expands the boundaries of both traditional and contemporary Guinea-Bissau dance music, creating a new musical genre that is urban yet profoundly steeped in the roots of his homeland.

In 2004 the CD "African Citizen" won best album and best song of the year in the African music category.
This is an organization which instead of having Corporate sponsorship, is put together by Songwriters, Recording Artists, Music Publishers, Record Labels and others in the Music Industry.
He performed a stirring rendition of the winning song Voz do Sangue with his band at the award ceremony in Los Angeles and was presented with the two awards.

Sung in many languages (Kriol, Portuguese, English, and French), the lyrics are as declamatory and inflammatory as his rhythms are infectiously danceable. Zé sings of love for family and friends, respect for women, compassion for children, social justice, and he poignantly describes the ravages of poverty, prostitution, AIDS, and the dictatorships that repress the advancement of people. Zé said he faced the challenge of blending cultures while preserving his own. "I am respecting our traditional music, but we want to make more progress towards meeting other cultures".
The album was recorded in the United States with guest artists from around the world. African Citizen reflects Zé's dream of cultural fusion : one world, one people, many voices.