This remarkable new cross-generational big band comes from the state of Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil. For nearly 20 years, that region — particularly Recife, its port city — has been worth watching: it’s a place where the strong old local rhythms like ciranda and maracatu mesh naturally with hip-hop and rock. With 12 pieces, including tuba, trombone, saxophones, violin, percussion and voices, the band compounds those earlier mixtures with Afrobeat and ska. On its remarkable self-titled first album (released by Som Livre Apresenta) you hear parade-samba rhythms, echoey guitar, brass and reed sections alternately booming and muted with jazz arrangements, the rustic scrape of a violin and anthemic choruses. ( The New York Times )
