Urban Junkies | Music | Review | New Sounds of Brazil

Luaka Bop is a brilliant record label founded by none other the front man of Talking Heads: David Byrne. Ever since his early inspired experiments with Brian Eno, Byrne has always been dedicated to unearthing interesting musical forms and fusions. From psychedelic African funk to the heart of the Latin continent, Luaka Bop has forged a unique but always fascinating path across the globe.

Byrne has been investigating the musical delights of Brazil long before the current (and justified) fixation for all things baile funk or Seu Jorge. Two recent releases succinctly point towards the very different aural magic to be found within the borders of this vast country.

One by Kassin dips into the cultural finds and curiosities that come from Rio's rich ethnic diversity. Kassin is part of Brazil's musical avant-garde but he has turned out a highly accessible collection of melodic samba and bossa with help from the likes of Tortoise's John McEntire.

Even more rewarding is the compilation 'What's Happening In Pernambuco'. Subtitled "new sounds of the Brazilian north-east" or "music from the mud satellites in the swamp", it's a weird and wonderful kayak trip through the river-filled veins of what is known as the Mangue Beat movement from Recife. Innovative delights abound.

Also warranting your investigation is Luaka Bop's reissue of a retrospective collection of '60s Latin psychedelia from the seminal Os Mutantes best known for the playful classic 'A Minha Menina'.

Be brave enough to check out this intrepid label's output and you're sure to discover an intriguing far-away local culture that's about as removed from the likes of Hoxton as it's possible to get.

Luaka Bop
The compilation 'What's Happening In Pernambuco', Kassin's 'Futurismo' and Os Mutantes' 'Everything Is Possible' are out now and available on Amazon.co.uk.