RAMIRO MUSSOTTO
SUDAKA (Fast Horse Recordings FH005 2003)

Some of the great names in Brasilian pop, like Gato Barbieri, Zeca Baleira, and Daniela Mercury, appear on this album which is a wonderful blend of hip hop, electronica and pop. It has a real "house" music edge to it, with drum programmes amping up from time to time, so it's not one I can play all the way through, but it is worthwhile. The berimbau is the lead instrument. The tracks are run through a flanger and underpinned by a really heavy dubby bass. Then "out" sax from Gato Barbieri kicks it up a notch. There are samples from some familiar places: Ile Aiye and Congolese pygmies being most notable. The guitarist cops a riff from Harmonia do Samba to add excitement to the opening cut "Caminho." The blend is very appealing, including such things as the "unidentified horse-drawn cart driver" and a bit of a movie soundtrack. It makes for a diverse and entertaining musical trip.