Alto da Maravilha

It's hard to believe that Alto da Maravilha was recorded remotely during the pandemic, such is the alchemy on show here: we’ve got the bonhomie of a Tim Maia classic, the persuasive bass of a Bahia street party, and the most ridiculous assortment of grooves and vocal hooks around. Russo Passapusso is the frontman of the pioneering BaianaSystem ensemble and he streamlines their Afro-Brazilian sound here with the assistance of veterans Antonio Carlos and Jocafi, who you might want to call the Brazilian Kool & The Gang for their mix of feral funk, vocal ticks and unforgettable grooves.

‘Aperta o Pé’ is an irresistible ijexá-funk opener with an undeniable Afrobeat charge, uniting the sounds of 1970s Lagos and Salvador. ‘Alabá’ is a choppy groove laden with Antonio Carlos and Jocafi's signature vocal hollers that recalls the duo's 1971 classic ‘Kabaluere’. ‘Vapor de Cachoeira’ is a nostalgic boogie, ‘Forrobodó’ gets into breakneck forró and there's even a cameo from Gilberto Gil on ‘Mirê Mirê’, bringing some Afro-pop bounce. It's exhilarating, edge-of-your-seat stuff, which only gives you a breather on the last few tracks. Antonio Carlos and Jocafi may be in their late 70s but they’ve still got plenty to give, and Passapusso is getting it out of them.