Wilson das Neves – Senzala e Favela (FundiSom, 2023)
The superb album Senzala e Favela is a project that began six years ago under the guidance of Brazilian drummer Wilson Das Neves, who was considered a prominent figure in Brazilian music. Unfortunately, he passed away just two days before entering the studio to record what would be his final album. Wilson’s passion for drums originated from his involvement in the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomble, which heavily influenced Brazilian rhythms. He started his musical journey at a young age, studying under the renowned Edgard Nunes Rocca (Bituca) and performing with jazz and orchestral ensembles. Wilson became a respected figure in Popular Brazilian Music (MPB) for over 50 years, renowned for his ability to adapt Afro-Brazilian rhythms to the drum kit.
The recently released album, produced by the FundiSom label, consists of 18 original songs, most of which were written by Das Neves in collaboration with Paulo César Pinheiro. Thirteen of these tracks had never been recorded before. The album features a stellar lineup of artists such as Seu Jorge, Zeca Pagodinho, Áurea Martins, BNegão, Fabiana Cozza, Marcelo D2, Maria Rita, Moacyr Luz, Moyseis Marques, Ney Matogrosso, Pretinho da Serrinha, Roberta Sá, Rodrigo Amarante, and Zé Renato. Wilson das Neves himself appears on three tracks.
The title track, “Senzala e Favela,” performed by Chico Buarque and Emicida, explores the history of Black participation in the construction of Brazil, shedding light on the persisting racism and inequality in society. The song combines samples, beats, and the voices of Chico and Emicida with a traditional samba sound. It incorporates distinctive sounds from instruments like the surdo, agogô, and cuíca, and addresses themes of separation, slavery, apartheid, disintegration, misery, affliction, illness, and abolition. The song serves as a powerful and direct message against the enduring force of racism.
The album’s conception was a collaboration between Wilson das Neves and Paulo César Pinheiro. Wilson aimed to revive the drumming style of samba schools as he remembered it from earlier times, before multiple snare drums became prevalent. Unfortunately, he couldn’t fulfill this vision himself, and the responsibility fell to Alexandre Segundo, the manager of the FundiSom label. After Wilson’s passing, Segundo sought resources and partnerships to bring the Senzala e Favela project to fruition. The Associação Cultural Saúva recognized the album’s beauty and importance and invested in its production. Alongside Jorge Helder, Kassin, Cláudio Jorge, João Rebouças, and Stephane San Juan, Segundo worked on arranging, musical production, and recording the collaborations between Das Neves and Paulo César Pinheiro.
The realization of the project was made possible through the partnership of inclusive investor Jataí, the longstanding cultural institution Fundição Progresso, and the creation of the independent label FundiSom. Atabaque, a music marketing agency, played a crucial role in the distribution and marketing of the album. Their strategy aimed to activate collective memories associated with samba and garnered editorial opportunities across various platforms.
Following Wilson’s death, the first step was to assemble a team of interpreters, musicians, and arrangers for the album. Alexandre Segundo drew upon his close relationship with Wilson to guide the project’s direction. With the help of bassist Jorge Helder, Alexandre enlisted Kassin, Felipe Pinaud, and Marlon Sette from Orquestra Imperial, as well as Cláudio Jorge, Chico Buarque, and Emicida, who were close partners and friends of Wilson Das Neves. This collaborative effort brought the album to life.
Alexandre Segundo considers it his mission to carry Wilson’s legacy forward and share his music with the world. The completion of the documentary, album, and initial live show marked the beginning of his journey. He intends to secure resources for a tour across Brazil and the world, featuring a top-notch band comprising Marçal, Jorge Helder, and Cristóvão Bastos; a dream lineup for any musician.
Buy Senzala e Favela.
Author: Claudia Taylor
