NAÇÃO ZUMBI

The Mangue Beat movement was to such an extent personalised by Chico Science, that many doubted that Nação Zumbi would continue their career after his death. But the Pernambucans stood firm, and they now release their third album without their old lead singer. Now contracted by Trama, Nação Zumbi play heavy on this record. There are 12 tracks, all of them original compositions by the group, and there are few guest appearances. The track Blunt of Judah opens the album with the distorted voice of Jorge Du Peixe, and right from the start, the force of Scott Hard’s mixing is felt. The lyrics are strong, without using foul language, as on Mormaço, that presents a different way of talking about the drought of the Brazilian Northeast region (Água aqui é lenda/secura não é pouca, e o céu desaba em conta-gotas”) and Propaganda, which criticise consumerism (Como pode a propaganda ser a alma do negócio, se esse negócio que engana não tem alma (…) a alma do negócio é você”). On this track, the guitar play of Lúcio Maia and the participation of Rodrigo Brandão are stand-outs. The electronic elements, spread out on the whole album, are particularly concentrated on Amnesia Express and Faz Tempo, to which DJ Marcelinho lends his outstanding and distinct scratches. O Fogo Anda Comigo has a jazzy sway and Ogan di Belê emphasises the bass. The really heavy stuff is on Meu Maracatu pesa uma tonelada - the title says it all - and Tempo Amarelo, that finishes the album in the same way that it started, carried by all the power of Nação Zumbi. (Mônica Loureiro)