Bixiga
70 – III (Glitterbeat Records)
LP
/ CD / DL
11
September 2015
8.5
/ 10
Sao
Paulo ten piece release their third album.
From
the streets of Bixiga in Brazil and heavily influenced by Fela Kuti’s Afrika 70
band, the ten member of Bixiga 70 make quite
a sound. Mixing Brazilian music
with Afro-funk and reggae barely scratch the surface and they power through
nine exhausting tracks on a stunner of an album.
Purely
instrumental maybe sometimes means the need to have more complex patterns and
melodies to carry a track and that is certainly the case here. With not one, or two, but three percussionist
members the scene is set for a lively sound throughout. Trombone, trumpet and saxophones add to give
the album the lift that makes it an essential listening.
An
electronic funk bass line and semi-dubbed keyboards enlighten 100% 13, a track
which it is impossible to remain seated to.
The need to get up and make a complete fool of oneself is unavoidable as
it becomes one of the many highlights of the album.
Niran
rides through a Blaxplotation vibe as it cleverly combines more regular cumba
beats and 70s funk sounds, and Di Dancer is more formula in its construction as
South American rhythms are blended with African vibes.
It’s
easy to make comparisons with other bass oriented sounds. Fela Kuti is an obvious one, even PigBag and
The Apples could make justified mentions, but to be fair the connection between
the continents separated by the mighty Pacific is rare, particularly when other
aspects are also added to the mix.
Martelo
moves at a million miles an hour from the opening beats and has a hook which
could almost be Shaft inspired if it were speeded up tenfold. The frenetic bass guitar and tight clinical
horns provide nothing but complete excitement.
The
pace is slowed somewhat towards the end of the album as Lembe gradually
decreases the manic sound, Mil Vidas too shows signs of the mood shifting and
by the time album closer 7 Pancadas appears things have taken on a more serene
tone.
Recorded
live to maintain the power and recorded in the bands own studio, III is a
triumph in bringing together several genres which have hereunto stayed poles
apart.
Turn
the volume up high and enjoy.
Links
Glitterbeat Records
Bixiga 70 website
Bixiga 70 on Twitter
Bixiga 70 on Facebook
Fela Kuti on hiapop Blog
PigBag on hiapop Blog
Published on Louder Than War 30/08/15 - here
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