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Artist - Saravah Soul
Title - Sarvah Soul LP
Label - Tru Thoughts
Released - 31.03.08
Posted 00.00.08
Out of the rich cultural melting-pot of London’s
underground music scene comes the exciting Afro-Brazilian Funk of Saravah Soul.
Singing in both English and Portuguese, this half-Brazilian, half-British outfit
have drawn upon unashamedly old-school flavours to create Raw Afro-Brazilian
Funk. Their debut album explores the rich and uncharted territory between
Afro-Brazilian rhythms and sixties funk syncopations, in the process creating a
whole new signature sound.
The opening track, “Oil Is Thicker Than Blood”, is a maracatu-funk track, using
the Brazilian rhythm of the drum bands from the streets of Recife, featuring the
unmistakable, deep sound of the alfaia drum, and it features a flute solo by
Jack Yglesias.
”Nao Posso Te Levar A Serio” (“Can’t Take You Seriously”) – which came out on 7”
vinyl in February as the band’s debut single – includes Portuguese lyrics
telling off a girl for playing hard to get and includes a Trumpet solo by Graeme
Flowers who also plays with the James Taylor Quartet.
‘It’s Doing My Head In’, a Funk/Samba mix shows a heavy work out from the rhythm
section, which is matched by multi-lingual Nascarella’s raw vocals. The drum
break is classic Saravah Soul: laying down sixties style funk drums alongside
the samba flavours of howling cuica and the thunder of the tamborim section (tamborim
not to be confused with tambourine).
“Arroz com feijao”, meaning “Rice and Beans”, is based around Afoxé, one of the
most African Brazilian rhythms, with a touch of Funk and Afro-Beat. The highly
poetic lyrics speak of Art as nourishment for the soul, just as the body is
nourished by rice and beans, the classic Brazilian dish. The call and response
style singing, also rooted in Africa, is a classic component of Brazilian
anthems.
“Funk e Saravah” meaning “Funk and Saravah” (Not Funky Saravah!) was written
spontaneously in the space of a single sound check. The percussion and flute
break down is inspired by the mix of African and Indigenous Indian music at the
heart of Brazilian culture. “Saravah” is a salutation used in Afro-Brazilian
religions which also carries a deep sense of ‘Brazilian-ness’.
“Roubada” is a funk-samba de roda style arrangement which comes from the same
family as the music of Capoeira (although it’s not the same thing). The lyrics
are loaded with Brazilian street slangs as tales of getting ripped off and the
impending retribution are sung.
The album kicks back into “Role de Bike”, a funk fuelled track mixed with Baião
(folk dance music from the state of Bahia, Brazil).The title means “Bike Ride”,
written after an inspiring trip along the Canal. The outro horn melody is in
classic Bahian style.
This leads us on to the sound of Rio Carnival in “Supersossego”, an unforgiving,
mean dancefloor killer of strip-down raw funk, which explodes unexpectedly into
a samba batucada bomb. The smooth instrumental jazz/funk of “Homesick” is the
perfect wind-down into the final track of what has been an energetic and
passion-fuelled journey through funk and Brazilian beats, ending with the
instrumental version of “It’s Doing My Head In”.
The album beautifully puts across the raw, energetic and fiery passion of
Saravah Soul, a true representation of the Brazilian music they pay great
tribute to. This passion is greatly portrayed in their live show, which is a
definite must see. Saravah Soul regularly grace the stage of Guanabara on Drury
Lane, London to stir up a funk frenzy and make bodies move to that unmistakable
sound.
The LP release also features exclusive instrumental versions of ‘Nao Posso Te
Levar A Serio’ and ‘Oil Is Thicker Than Blood’ and a copy of the CD.
Tracklist
01. Oil Is Thicker Than Blood
02. Nao Posso Te Levar A Serio
03. It's Doing My Head In
04. Arroz Com Feijao
05. Funk E Saravah
06. Roubada
07. Role De Bike
08. Supersossego
09. Homesick
10. It's Doing My Head In (Instrumental)
Review soon come. We only put word to the best music, so
trust us this is a winner! Put the release date in your diary now or check
back later to read the review.
Rating - 10/10
Reviewer - PT
