Nos Quintais do Mundo

Perhaps DJ Tudo should change his name, or at least that deceptive prefix of his, for it hides the fact that on Nos Quintais do Mundo he is more musicologist, producer and bass-playing bandleader than DJ. Using samples of native Brazilian drumming and vocals – sourced himself during field research dating back to 2002 – and collaborators from Brazil and beyond, Tudo swings between funk and dub on an album full of Afro-Brazilian and Jamaican rhythms. At its most potent it recalls the sheer power of Chico Science and Naçao Zumbi, albeit with their rock riffs replaced by funky horns and bass. Opening track ‘Baque Forte’ is the perfect example; its lead sax melody bolstered by both maracatu and afoxe drumming, with added textures from Senegalese singer Ahmet Male. The accordion-like sanfona takes lead on ‘Sou Massape’; its English-language rap chorus making it the most accessible track on the album. As well as covering Afro-Brazilian styles such as maxixe, maracatu and embolada, the album takes in the Caribbean, most notably in the dub productions. Mad Professor and Adrian Sherwood take half the album down a dub route with Sherwood’s light and funky mix of ‘Gaita Mestra’ being the best of the bunch.

On Nos Quintais do Mundo, DJ Tudo creates a modern-day big band using samples and a glittering array of top musicians that explore Afro-Brazilian rhythms in such a glorious and effusive fashion that it’s perhaps time he got that title upgraded. Mestre Tudo anyone?