Nação África
25 May 2020
Album Rating 4 / 5
Live Potential 5 / 5
Favourite Songs Guerreiro Yorubá, Dia De Verão, Nação África Parte 2
Camarão Orkestra return with their new album Nação África released via Paris label Favorite Recordings, a project once again exploring the roots of Brazil’s musical traditions, tapping into the Afro-Brazilian Candomblé and its rhythms that easily sound like this could be another Favorite reissue from the 70s.
Having originally formed in 2008, the Orkestra have developed a repertoire of Brazilian rhythms that fuse jazz-funk and afro-rhythms together. Taking inspiration from the drums of enslaved Africans, the Paris-based group lay the foundation for this new album, combining this exploration of African percussion with the polyrhythms of Brazilian percussion instruments. The vibrating berimbau and squeaking cuícas pour into the funk-driven bass as all the tracks on the record have an undeniable dancing energy you're compounded to move to.
Featuring various special guests, Anthony Joseph offers spoken word on 'Canto Da Bahia' alongside Agathe Iracema's backing vocals as the saxophone grows more impassioned with Joseph's monologue. The rest of the horns section provide uplifting nudges emphasised by the tight rhythm section, always offering licks that seem to fall into place with the melody perfectly. Iracema, Morgane Migliari and Sabrina Mouassi's vocals in 'Copacabana' add to the slightly slower funk guided by the meaty guitar and bass riff, before the sax solo improvises wildly on top.
'Guerreiro Yorubá' starts with the piano chiming out beautifully before the percussion initiates the rhythm section to pick up the pace, allowing a superb trumpet solo to resonate powerfully over the horn sections' phrasings. The chunky bass and guitar combine in 'Dia De Verão' as the song bounces on the downbeat with the horns swaying to the groove, whilst 'Canto De Iemanjá' offers a more relaxing feel with a focus on the low-end sound of the percussion and trombone.
The disco-funk of the title track has some sickeningly sweet synth splurges, before 'Parte 2' builds up around the guitar lick; both have phat bass lines that made the tune an ideal fit for the disco-inspired cuts from Patchworks. The robotisation of the Brazilian vibes make his 'Remix' and 'Late Night Dub' tracks electro-dancefloor killers, as Amanda Roldan's vocals echo through the production refreshingly.
Candomblé means "dance in honour of the gods", and Nação África reflects this motif throughout the album, with each track allowing the percussion to drive the rhythm section and the horns sections bright phrasings into hip-moving goodness. The mood of the album is set like the sun slowly sinking down with shades of blue and orange tones glimmering over the horizon, allowing you to cruise into the soft Brazilian night air. Camarão Orkestra's link up with Favorite Recordings is a superb addition to the label's collection of jazz, funk, fusion, Afro and Brazilian recordings.
Buy and stream Nação África here:
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For Patchworks Remix and Lat Night Dub, stream and buy here: