The BANDA BLACK RIO has a repertoire based on funk music mixing samba, jazz and Brazilian rhythms

and has
recorded four albums: "Maria Fumaca", "Gafieira Universal", "Saci Perere" and "Movimento". This last album was
remixed by the label 'Mr Bongo' and released with the title "Rebirth" in England in 2002. The group recorded its own
compositions as well as those of other composers, but with a sigular arrangement such as "Na baixa do sapateiro" (Ary
Barroso), "Casa Forte" (Edu Lobo), etc. Compared to other foreign soul-funk groups, such as Kool and the Gang and
Earth, Wind and Fire, the BANDA BLACK RIO developed a kind of instrumental soul music that was gladly accepted in
other countries. In 1999, the group restructured itself and its new leader, WILLIAM MAGALHAES, replaced Oberdan
Magalhaes, his father and the founder of the group that died in 1984.

The Banda Black Rio was formed in 1976 by the late Oberdan (Oberdan Magalhães). Characterized by a sound in
which rhythm & blues served as the vehicle for danceable variations incorporating the gafieira style, samba, and jazz,
the band had in its variable formation, the trumpeter José Carlos Barroso, drummer Luís Carlos dos Santos,
keyboardist Jorge Valdir Barreto, guitarist Cláudio Stevenson Jorge, and bassist Valdecir Ney Machado, among others.
Their first hit was the samba-funk "Maria Fumaça," released in the eponymous LP (WEA, 1977). The song was the
theme of the soap opera Loco-Motivas (TV Globo). Recording originals and versions for songs like "Na Baixa do
Sapateiro" (Ary Barroso) and "Casa Forte" (Edu Lobo), they were compared in the specialized press to other soul-funk
bands like Kool and the Gang and Earth, Wind and Fire, having success in England's dance houses in the late '90s.
The band recorded two more LPs -- Gafieira universal (RCA,1978) and Saci Pererê (RCA 1980) -- until 1980, when
they dissolved. In 1999, the Banda Black Rio resumed activities with a new formation led by Oberdan's son William
Magalhães.

Seminal funk by one of Brazil's greatest groups! Earth Wind & Fire had nothing on Banda Black Rio -- as the
Brazilian combo mixed together smooth jazz funk, soulful vocals, and great production, into a sound that
rivaled any of America's best mainstream funk acts of the 70s! This album's easily their best -- and is filled
with tight jazzy groovers that we come back to again and again over the years, digging them for their great
rhythms and tight instrumentation, never noticing the fact that the lyrics aren't in English! Includes the cuts
"Chega Mais", "Tico Tico No Fuba", "Danca Do Dia", "Vidigal", "Gafiera Universal", and the totally great
"Cravo e Canela", one of the sneakiest guitar groovers you'll ever hear!
(Part of the 100 Anos De Musica series.)

One of the best albums ever from Brazilian soul legends Banda Black Rio -- a tight batch of jazzy funk that's their last
testament of greatness! The group are in fine form here -- grooving like a Brazilian version of Earth Wind & Fire as they
mix together bubbling basslines, smooth keyboards, and funky horn riffs -- plus a few regional twists too, like work on
cuica and Brazilian percussion! The record's a bit smoother than some of their 70s work, but that gives it a
sophisticated jazz funk sound that makes things a bit more soulful than usual -- and which has the same appeal as
some of the best late 70s work by Azymuth, particularly their classic album for Warner Brothers! Titles include
"Subindo O Morro", "Amor Natural", "Melissa", "Miss Cheryl", "Saci Perere", "Profissionalismo E Isso Ai", "Broto Sexy",
and "Zumbi".

An excellent album by one of the greatest Brazilian funk bands ever! Band Black Rio were the stuff of legends back in
the 70s -- an all-funky powerhouse, with inspiration from American groups like Kool & The Gang and Ohio Players, but
a uniquely Brazilian approach that also threw in some added percussion and lots of jazzy phrasing! This album's one of
the group's best -- all-solid, all the way through -- and filled with really wonderful numbers that never fail to groove with
universal appeal. Titles include "Mr. Funky Samba", "Junia", "Casa Forte", "Maria Fumaca", and "Metalurgia".

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Banda-Black-Rio/dp/B000007XCK