South American music and culture magazine

Jorge Continentino describes himself as a saxophonist and flutist, but he regularly draws on his piano and guitar-playing skills when he’s writing original music. Jorge got an early start, leaving his hometown of Rio de Janeiro at just eighteen years of age to tour and record with some of the biggest names in Brazilian popular music, like Marisa Monte and Milton Nascimento. His nearly fifteen-years as a musician in Brazil laid the groundwork for a successful career now based in New York City, where Jorge blends traditional forró music from Northeastern Brazil with jazz, rock and folk in one-of-a-kind compositions. One of his groups, Forró in the Dark, has toured North America and Europe but is most at home presiding over the late night Brazilian parties every Wednesday at Nublu in New York’s East Village. The group also appears on the Red Hot + Rio 2 album. In addition to Forró in the Dark, Jorge is involved with numerous cutting-edge projects and collaborations that he described in our interview below. Continue Reading

New York’s Summer Stage is kicking off its 2012 season with an evening of performances by Nu-bossa bombshell, Bebel Gilberto, Grammy-nominated jazz singer Gregory Porter and other acclaimed artists at Highline Ballroom in New York City on January 5th. Continue Reading

July looks set to be a great month for Brazilian music with some of the country’s leading artists playing at Brasil Summerfest, a new week-long festival taking place in some of New York’s finest venues from July 24th-30th. Marcelo D2, Pitty and DJ Nuts are just some of the artists to have confirmed so far. Continue Reading

I’d been waiting for this album to drop ever since I heard the ridiculously good lead single “Subirusdoistiozin” and it’s b-side “Grajeux”. Now, Nó Na Orelha, the second album from Criolo, is here, and best of all, it’s free to download. This is the point where Sao Paulo hip-hop gets a lot more interesting. Continue Reading

My oh my, this wasn’t easy! So many great videos to list in 2010. I hope we have listed all the major ones, but I have a feeling in a day or two a few are going to spring to mind that really should be here. If you have any suggestions that you feel should be listed here please let us know in the comments. Here we go… Continue Reading

After ten years Rock in Rio festival is back to the city that gives name to the event. In the last decade, Madrid and Lisbon had the privilege to have their own editions of one of the biggest music events in the world. Now, it is time again for Rio de Janeiro to host the 4th edition of Rock in Rio festival in 2011, as recently announced by businessman and creator of the festival Roberto Medina and Rio’s mayor Eduardo Paes.
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Marcelo D2, one of Brazilian hip-hops biggest stars will be coming to the UK and Ireland in September for three shows. The rapper, formerly a member of the hip-hop collective Planet Hemp, has produced a number of classic albums since going solo in 1998. He has followed up first album Eu Tiro É Onda with À Procura da Batida Perfeita in 2003, one of the finest albums of hip-hop you are ever likely to meet. It also cemented the Brazilian hip-hop style which would loosely follow the aesthetics of US Hip-Hop but using samba and bossa nova samples instead of funk and solo. The title track, which translates as ‘Looking for the perfect beat’, a nod to Afrika Bambataa, is a definite highlight along with “Qual É” and “Vai Vendo”. In 2006 he released Meu Samba É Assim following it up with Arte do Barulho in 2008, a return to form with classic songs including “Dasabafo” and “Pode Acreditar (feat. Seu Jorge)”.
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Sat 25 Sept / 8pm
The Coronet Theatre / £25 (£20 adv)

Marcelo D2 and his band will be coming to the UK for a couple of shows in September. The first of these will be in London on Saturday 25th September. Support will be provided by Fernandinho Beat Box and Ulisses Bezerra. Art Events BR are promoting the event.

Marcelo D2, a former vocalist of the band Planet Hemp, started his solo career in 1998 with the album Eu Tiro é Onda. The album was recorded in his studio by David Corcos and was mixed in New York and Los Angeles by Carlos Bass and Mário Caldato Jr. Eu Tiro é Onda was well accepted by the public and rap movement within São Paulo, earning respect from names such as Black Alien, Zé Gonzalez, DJ Nuts and Bnegão.

In 2003 he released À Procura da Batida Perfeita (Portuguese for “Looking for the perfect beat”, a reference to an Afrika Bambaataa (song of the same name) produced by Beastie Boys producer Mario Caldato. The album mixed hip-hop with samba and included a collaboration with will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas. The album was a hit and led to an Acústico MTV performance, analogous to MTV Unplugged in the United States. The album was released with the English title in Asia, Europe, and North America. Finally, the album was promoted with a two-year tour.

Famous for mixing samba with black music, has partnerships with several artists from other genres such as Axé music and people who beats of electronic music with his mouth, popularly known how to beatbox. Currently, one of its main partners in shows and tours is Fernandinho BeatBox, which makes some effects to your music, and is always called on stage to excite the public with their hits.

Here’s a bit of classic Marcelo to whet your appetite:

More info:
Marcelo D2 Official Site
Marcelo D2 Myspace
Art Events BR

Mario Caldato Jr. has worked as a producer or engineer for Jack Johnson, Manu Chao, Donovan Frankenreiter, Beck, Super Furry Animals, Tone Loc and Young MC. He is of course most famous though for his work with Beastie Boys where he was their right-hand man from Paul’s Boutique right the way through to Hello Nasty. What is not well-known about Mario is the amount of Brazilian records he has played a part in over the last 10 years. The list of people he has worked with resembles a ‘who’s who’ of modern Brazilian culture. We sat down with Mario to get his thoughts on these records. Continue Reading

Summer is most definitely upon us and now that Brazil is also being featuring here on Sounds and Colours we figured what better way to celebrate than with a mix of sun-drenched, vibe-toasting summer beauties from Brazil. With no further then please enjoy our mix of samba, forró, mangue bit, soul, bossa nova, tropicalia and all points in between. Tracklisting is below with link to listen and download at the bottom of the page.
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This is very exciting! Sounds and Colours are teaming up with Botafogo Social Club to bring you all the flavour of Brazil straight from Botafogo in Rio. Each month they will be holding a club night celebrating the greatest of Brazil’s music and we will be bringing you the tunes that they will be spinning on these nights. It will give all our readers the perfect opportunity to find out more about Brazilian music both old and new, as well as a few of the party classics too! Continue Reading