Atlântico Negro

The title is a translation of The Black Atlantic, Paul Gilroy’s celebrated book which examines the continuities in Black diasporic culture that transcends national boundaries. Brazilian singer and researcher Ilesi translates this idea by paying homage to Black Brazilian composers, mixed with her own compositions, while adopting a variety of styles included in the diaspora. ‘Navio Negreiro’ (Slave Ship) tells of the xangô, the righteous African divinities, arriving in Bahia to a trance-inducing Candomblé rhythm. ‘Cobra Coral’ uses scat-sung jazz with ascending and descending scales. ‘Seca Tatu’ has the same mood, crashing piano chords, scatted and scattered syllables and Afro-Brazilian percussion. ‘Cativeiro de Iaiá’ explores the idea of the Nego Fugido, a Bahian tradition of the escaped enslaved person, incorporating elements of Candomblé, while serving as a critique of historical and ongoing racial injustices. Atlântico Negro is a successful attempt at expounding the Black experience in Brazil, mixing jazz, polyrythmic percussion and improvisation.