Music Union : Live Your Music

Mariana Knabben, Journalist, Brazilian

Brazil is a huge country and when I arrived there, a lot just came back to mind. You know, it’s just simple things that you forget after living in the USA for the past 3 years. Actually, I know exactly why I forgot about these things, it’s because they simply don’t fit in to what I personally like as musical taste. Our culture is so wide and so rich, where one rhythm can be used to become two different styles besides its own, and yet none of those styles are appealing to me. They are known as “axé”, “pagode” and “samba”.

“Axé” comes from the samba root but they changed adding different beats, creating a rhythm that was very popular on the Northern East coast during the 90’s. It was composed by two singers and three backup dancers: a guy and two girls, one blonde and one brunette. Literally, those groups were made to please the whole population. From that, you can imagine the beauty of the lyrics, right? It’s pretty much the same kind of American hip-hop songs. Most of the songs talk about the woman’s body, hook ups and cheating. Others songs tell you the step-by-step of the choreography you should dance and 99% have as a premise that you have to shake you but to the floor. Famous groups of that time were “É o Tchan” and “Terra Samba”. Check them at http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89_o_Tchan and http://www2.uol.com.br/terrasamba/.

Pagode” also comes from the samba root but in a slower pace. Those groups were composed of an average of an average of 10 people, all musicians and backing vocal singers, except the lead singer. Among the instruments they play are “cavaquinho”; “pandeiro”, which is a type of hand frame drum and a specific type of Brazilian percussion. The theme in the lyrics are commonly cheating and people that are heartbroken, feeling depressed and almost in the grief process. This style was famous in late 90’s, beginning of 2000 and the most notorious groups are “Só Pra Contrariar and “Exaltasamba”, among many others. I, personally, dislike this rhythm especially because its lyrics and also because doesn’t make me want to move my feet. I like music that makes me want to dance the second I listen to them, or that have a meaning to me, and those lyrics mean nothing in particular. Check them at http://www.sopracontrariar.net/ and http://exaltasamba.uol.com.br/ and take your own conclusions.

Moving on to the original rhythm “samba”, it has its own pace, not too slow, not too fast either. That’s different from the samba played during Carnival. This one is fast, proper for the parade and for people to dance. Again, it’s formed by a group of people or solo artist that sings and it’s always in style. Lyrics are also different; most of them talk about day-to-day things. Groups in this category is “Fundo de Quintal”, one of the oldest groups in Brazil still active and “Beth Carvalho”, a lady in a set dominated by men. Their websites are http://www.fundodequintal.com.br/novidades.php and http://www.bethcarvalho.com.br/. This rhythm is one of my favorites because it really express and show through the music how Brazil really is. An amazing country, for sure!

Well, that’s from my point of view and that’s what I find not so good about Brazil. Like I said, that’s my point of view and you may not agree with it, so go on and take you own conclusions. Also, Brazil isn’t only made by poor music. Actually, the good music stands out at least 10.000 times more. My next post is going to be about what Brazil has that it’s, without a doubt, really great. Great rhythm, great lyrics and great melody. That’s all about Brazil!

                É O Tchan group                                                                                 Terra Samba group

                    Só Pra Contrariar                                                                   Exltasamba

                     Fundo De Quinta                                                             Beth Carvalho