Brasil Calling: Volume 14 – A Vibrant Fusion of Traditional and Modern Sounds

Brasil Calling is a series of compilations designed to introduce new Brazilian talent to international media. In this case, the majority of the artists fall within the broad category of world music, ranging from samba and bossa nova to Afro-Brazilian and lesser known Brazilian rhythms and genres.

Volume 14 presents another batch of highly talented artists who mix tradition and modernity.

1. Luccas Martins – “Headland” (Nature Mix) (Lôa Discos)
Luccas Martins’ “Headland” mixes natural sounds with musical precision. Recorded at Sydney’s Dee Why Beach, the track intertwines ocean waves with handpan, bass clarinet, and flute, enhanced by ASMR effects. As part of his Australia series, this ambient composition offers a meditative experience rooted in Martins’ percussion expertise.

2. Quito Ribeiro – “Pode Entrar” (YB Music)
In “Pode Entrar,” part of his latest album Umguerrê (2024), Quito Ribeiro fuses samba, bossa nova, and Afro-Brazilian rhythms. Produced by Pedro Sá and Domenico Lancellotti, this album reflects post-Tropicália influences while expanding Bahia’s musical heritage with modern flair. Collaborations, including his son Noé, further enrich Ribeiro’s storytelling.

3. Alejandro Brittes – “Maga” (Alejandro Brittes)
Alejandro Brittes delivers an expressive instrumental piece in “Maga,” paying tribute to chamamé, a traditional genre from Argentina and southern Brazil. The accordion’s rich tones convey a heartfelt dedication to his wife.

4. Marujos Pataxós & Tropkillaz – “A Força dos Encantados” (Tropkillaz Remix) (YB Music)
This remix combines Marujos Pataxós’ samba rhythms with Tropkillaz’s electronic sound. “A Força dos Encantados” bridges tradition with modernity, blending Bahia’s ancestral percussion with contemporary beats. The collaboration also emphasizes the preservation of Pataxó culture and history.

5. Leila Pinheiro, Paulo Francisco Paes & Priscilla Frade – ‘Flor de Outono” (Venuscam Produções)
“Flor de Outono” is a delicate chamber-folk ballad featuring Leila Pinheiro’s vocals paired with Paes and Frade’s subtle arrangement. The song captures the melancholic beauty of autumn in Brazil, offering listeners a reflective and warm musical experience.

6. Raphael Vital – “Flor Pantaneira” (Kuarup)
“Flor Pantaneira,” composed by Helena Meirelles, is Raphael Vital’s tribute to Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands. The guitar track mixes traditional Brazilian folk with contemporary acoustic elements, embodying the timeless beauty and biodiversity of the region.

7. Joia Luz & Guinga – “Fonte Abandonada” (Kuarup)
This collaboration between vocalist Joia Luz and guitarist Guinga results in a haunting composition. “Fonte Abandonada” pays tribute to forgotten places and memories.

8. Luana Bayô – “Tem Dendê” (Por do Som)
Luana Bayô reinvents “Tem Dendê,” a song celebrating Bahia’s African roots, with her deep, resonant voice. Originally by Nei Lopes and Reginaldo Bessa, Bayô transforms the track into a samba tribute infused with axé rhythms and spiritual significance.

9. Gil Felix – “Mairê” (Mills Records)
Gil Felix’s track “Mairê,” from his upcoming album Ubalafon, mixes Afro-Brazilian, bossa nova, and reggae influences. Inspired by Mali’s balafon, the song reflects Bahia’s African heritage and themes of resilience.

10. MIM – “Despierta” (Marã Música)
“Despierta” by MIM, led by Madame Mim, the band, captures raw emotion with melancholic melodies. Having worked with renowned producers, MIM continues their global tour, sharing their unique mix of rock and emotion.

11. Conjunto Boi de Piranha & Ramiro Galas – “Dançando no Escuro” (Remix) (YB Music)
Ramiro Galas reinterprets Conjunto Boi de Piranha’s traditional rhythms, infusing them with electronic elements in “Dançando no Escuro.” This remix revitalizes the original, offering a danceable and energetic fusion of old and new sounds.