Grupo Bongar + Maga Bo – Macumbadaboa (Kafundó Records KAX014, 2019)
Macumbadaboa gathers the Afro-Brazilian percussion ensemble Grupo Bongar, from Pernambuco, with producer and DJ Maga Bo, an American-Brazilian artist based in Rio de Janeiro. The album amalgamates traditional northeastern Brazilian rhythms, such as coco, afoxé, and maculelê, with subtle layers of dub and electronic music. Interestingly, it arrives in two versions, one with vocals, another purely instrumental.
The album was recorded in an improvised studio set up by Maga Bo at the Memorial Severina Paraíso da Silva – Mãe Biu, located in the Xambá terreiro in Olinda. For sure, the project aimed to root the creative process in the group’s spiritual and cultural environment. The space, filled with historical photos, religious artifacts, and objects tied to the legacy of Mãe Biu and the Xambá lineage, served as direct inspiration for Guitinho da Xambá’s spontaneous lyrics and compositions.
The recording features contributions from a wide range of Pernambuco artists, including Isaar, Cláudio Rabeca, Lia de Itamaracá, Lu do Coco do Pneu, and the vocal ensemble As Filhas de Baracho, alongside members of the Xambá terreiro, local children, and Malian kora player Adama Keita. The repertoire includes traditional songs for orixás and entities of Jurema, interwoven with original lyrics composed on-site through a process of immediate observation and improvisation.
Produced, recorded and mixed by Maga Bo
Musical direction by Guitinho da Xambá
Executive production for Bongar by Marileide Alves
Mastering by Krishnin at Blissonance
Artwork by Andrianna Moulinos
Musciians: Guitinho da Xambá: lead vocals, palmas; Beto da Xambá: pandeiro, zambumba, cuíca, surdão, congas, engomes, mexerica, alfaia, caracaxás, prato, ganzá, cowbell, triângulo, disco parabólico, palmas; Thúlio da Xambá: backing vocals, berimbau, surdão, engomes, timbales, pratos, caixa, effects, palmas; Nino da Xambá: jembe, alfaia, engomes, agbê, moringa, palmas; Memé da Xambá: engomes, alfaia, tabicas, palmas; Neta Silva: agogô, cowbell, ganzá, engomes, agbê, palmas; Maga Bo: recording, programming, mixing.
Guests: Tia Zeza, Dona Ana da Xambá, Dilsinho da Xambá, Dulce Baracho e Severina Baracho (filhas de
Baracho), Lia de Itamaracá, Isaar França (chants), Totonho da Xambá (pandeiro) Adama Keïta (kora), Pácua (vocals), Cláudio Rabeca (rabeca), Helder Vasconcelos (kaiamb), André Sampaio (guitar)
Choir: Crianças da Xambá, Glória da Xambá, Conceição da Xambá, Carmelita da Xambá Marileide
Alves, Negra Danny, Mestra Ana Lúcia do Coco, Margarida Sambão, Marluciana Araújo , Mirela
Cavalcanti Juninho Oliveira, Bernardo Sena, Grupo Bongar.
Track List:
01 – Macumbadaboa (Guitinho da Xambá)
02 – Manhancá (Xambáfricano) – (Guitinho da Xambá)
03 – Dentro da Vila do Cabo (Canto do universo do culto da Jurema)
04 – Machadeiro (início faz parte do universo do culto da Jurema) – (Guitinho da Xambá)
05 – Ogum Beira-Mar (Guitinho da Xambá e Marileide Alves)
06- Banzuè (Canto do universo do candomblé dedicado ao orixá Obaluaiê)
07 – Sèsèré baálé (Canto do universo do candomblé dedicado ao orixá Nanã)
08 – São Saruê (Guitinho da Xambá)
09 – Omisèsè (Guitinho da Xambá e Marileide Alves)
10 – Vem Amor (canto tradicional do cancioneiro popular do Nordeste do Brasil)
Buy Macumbadaboa.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
