ROCK Sex gets the ball and runs with it.
Today, a culture relay from Funk to Samba to Electro to Indie Rock to Thrash Metal.
Brazil's Jorge Ben Jor made a Funk homage to a soccer star with his song "Ponta de Lanca Africano (Umbabarauma)" in 1976.
The song began (like all things) as a cross-cultural hybrid, this one between Brazilian Tropicalia and West African rhythms with some decided U.S. Funk swagger. A prime influence was The Minister Of New New Super Heavy Funk, James Brown, as evidenced by the rhythmic groove of this classic example.
JAMES BROWN -"The Payback" (1973)
Jorge Ben's lyrics homage "Umbabarauma/ an African point man/ ...a man whose mind is made up."
JORGE BEN -"Ponta de Lanรงa Africano (Umbabarauma)" (1976)
The song was made more internationally famous in 1989 when it was the spotlight hit on David Byrne's Brazilian compilation album, "Beleza Tropical". A striking animated video helped drive its success.:
In England, it morphed into Big Beat Electronica in a mash-up with Graham Central Station's "Now Do U Wanta Dance" (1977).
FILA BRAZILLIA -"Pots And Pans" (1993)
Imperial Teen, a kind of indie supergroup based out of San Francisco, used the rhythm guitar lick as a departure point for their own stellar song, "Yoo Hoo". The song was used in the film Jawbreaker, and star Rose McGowan appears in the song's video:
IMPERIAL TEEN -"Yoo Hoo" (1999)
SOULFY, a Thrash band that Brazilian Max Calavera formed after Sepultura, did a hard-crashing cover of it that extended its fame.
SOULFLY- "Umbabarauma" (1998)
It came full-circle to Brazil with this funky collective.
GRUPO BATUQUE -"Ponta de Lanรงa Africano (Umbabarauma)" (2000)
See how the whole city empties out
On this beautiful afternoon to watch you play"
© Tym Stevens
See Also:
• "Fame" - James Brown > David Bowie > James Brown
• "Think!" - 5 Royales > James Brown > Marvin Gaye > Lyn Collins > DJ Rob Base
• "Oye Como Va!" - Tito Puente > Santana > Kinky
• "Crosseyed And Painless" - Fela > Talking Heads > Brazilian Girls > Angelique Kidjo
• The Real History of Rock and Soul!: The Music Player Checklist
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1 comment:
Great post man. I heard the Umababarauma version of Soulfly a few years ago and thought it was theirs, but now i find the original version much better and nicer. Sounds to me like R&B brazilian version.
Also like the lyrics, very spiritual.
Love the imperial teen's video as well. Thanks for posting this joy to music.
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