A Pegada Agora é Essa

This exciting project from multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Antonio Neves asks a simple question: what’s the sound of Rio today? Rather than fall into MPB pastiche, or become a samba also-ran, Neves brings the vibrance and vivacity of the continually evolving cityscape to bear. ‘Simba’ is a full-on freak-out, indebted to Zappa and Zé in equal measure, while simultaneously paying homage to the freneticism of Furacão 2000. The title-track grooves heavy, with Eduardo Farias’ consummate keys-playing complementing the up-tempo funk flavour, re-rendering partido alto for a packed dance floor.

Neves is bold in style throughout: his take on the late-Dorival Caymmi’s ‘Noite De Temporal’ (sung here by Caymmi’s granddaughter Alice) is urgent, beguiling and befitting for these stormy times; the gloriously languid, laidback rendition of ‘Luz Negra’ benefits from a fine vocal performance from Ana Frango Elétrico.

La Cidade Maravilhosa has never been one to rest on its laurels. Neves’ mix of compelling originals and rebooted classics captures a 21st-century city in all its variegated glory. A Pegada Agora é Essa roughly translates to ‘The Footprint of Now.’ It feels like a real-time documentation: bold in style, exemplary in execution and underpinned by fine musicianship and real flair.