Various Artists - The Rough Guide To Capoeira - New LP Record 2023 World Music Network Vinyl - Brazilian / Capoeira

er and capoeirista Tandi Gebara, the band have performed at many key Brazilian festivals including the legendary Rock in Rio and have helped introduce a whole new audience to the genre.

Grupo Muzenza was founded in 1972 by Paulo Sérgio da Silva, better known as Mestre Paulão. Later lead by Mestre Burguês, the group expanded significantly in the 1990s, creating affiliated centres in many states in Brazil and abroad. Today, Muzenza has established itself as one of the largest capoeira groups in the world. Their featured track ’Paranauê – Paraná’ is a wonderful example of what is known as a corrido, the most common type of capoeira song usually consisting of short phrases/verses sung by the lead singer, to which the chorus respond in unison. In contrast, Capoeira Ultimate’s rendition of the corrido ‘Zum Zum Zum’ is an innovative electronic/dance adaptation of a traditional song whose lyrics signify that a person is in danger of harm. This is relayed by the action of fast kicks and the increasing tempo of the berimbau, with the words “Zum Zum Zum” imitating the symbolic warning sounds of a poisonous wasp.

The term Nago refers to the name given to groups of runaway slaves who had been brought to Brazil from Africa. In 2002, the Capoeira Nagô Cultural Sports Association was founded in Brazil, with the aim of supporting and facilitating Capoeira Nagô’s progress, promoting the principles and traditions of capoeira. In turn Capoeira Nagô has become one of the fastest growing capoeira groups in the world, whose vibrant spirit and love of the art is captured to great effect in both ‘Foi Dendê’ and ‘Capoeira No Sangue’. Similarly, Capoeira Guanabara is another group responsible for helping capoeira become a truly global practice through the dedication of its globetrotting founder Mestre Di Mola. Now based in Sweden, Di Mola serves up two wildly contrasting approaches to the same theme, with ‘Ingá Ingá’ being very much in the traditional mould, whilst the techno infused ‘Dendê Dendê’ gives the form a whole new musical dimension.