Brazilian Inflections

Soothsayers are something of a South London musical institution. Having released eight albums over the course of twenty years, they’re poised to drop their ninth, and second on Wah Wah 45s, entitled We Are Many, this November. Recorded both in their favourite part of the capital and across the globe in Sao Paulo, it’s a fascinating blend of their trademark dub and Afrobeat flavours mixed with some distinctly Brazilian inflections. Not only that, it represents a positive and uplifting statement in challenging times – the overriding power of the music leading the band to continue forward, ever pushing their musical boundaries and concepts.

The Coming Together of Community

Love and Unity, the second track to be taken from the album, features the vocals of Ligia Kamada, a percussionist and vocalist who lives in the rural Minas Gerais region of southern Brazil. It was largely improvised in Bixiga 70’s studio in Sao Paulo, which led the creative direction for the sentiment of the song. It’s a call to speak out against increasing levels of violence, in this case from the Brazilian government towards its native and indigenous people, and for unity through hymns and the coming together of community.

Reactions

“What a terrific sound… cracking track!” – Robert Elms (BBC Radio London)