WOMAD

Clube Do Balanço

From Brazil

For a nation always in the vanguard of musical innovation, Brazil also finds plenty of time to fondly salute its rich past. The nine-strong Clube Do Balanço are among those raising more than a glass to their forebears. These Sao Paulans have recharged the classic sound of samba-rock, the style that – in the late 1960s – injected the gentle summer sound of samba with the urgency of rock, funk and soul. It’s most likely to be represented in your record collections by the likes of that great innovator Jorge Ben or past WOMAD visitors Trio Mocoto. Respectfully reverent to that classic samba-rock sound, Clube Do Balanço make an unapologetic journey back in time and the results are wonderfully swinging, sunshine-baked grooves. Back home, this lot have hundreds of ecstasy-inducing gigs under their collective belt, including tours alongside such icons as the aforementioned Ben and the equally mighty Wilson Simonal. Brazil’s best-kept secret is out – come share the good news.