Brazil: Samba

SOUNDS OF GLOBAL WORSHIP:
BRAZIL, SAMBA

This video comes from the northern part of Brazil near the coastal city of Recife. It is the center of the historic slave trade that made its way into South America about 350 years ago. Although the trade no longer exists it has greatly affected the country of Brazil.

Brazil is the fifth wealthiest country of the world, yet poverty is endemic with about one-third of its population living in "favelas" or slums. A large percentage of the people in the favelas are of "mixed blood" having roots in the African slave trade. The rhythms and music of the Africans have greatly influenced Brazil's music, and Samba is an example of this flavoring.

Samba is the a heart music of the poorer people of Brazil and, as such, is often rejected by those of means. The church, too, has typically opposed the use of Samba due to its association with lewd practices.

However, a number of Christian musical groups have "redeemed" this musical form, setting it to lyrics with a Christian message.

The four young men in this video are a part of a ministry that is reaching into the favelas with the compassion and love of the gospel of Christ. They are a street band who use this Samba to attract the attention of those who love Samba music. Once drawn to the music, the lyrics suprise the listener with a different message than is normally heard.

The growing worship expression by the churches which are forming within the favelas often incorporate Samba musical forms into their music by which they return their love and devotion to God.

Samba also has its accompaning dance form, and this, too, is increasingly found in worship in sectors of the church.

TITLE:
Perfeito Caminho (Perfect Way)

TRANSLATION:
Laia, laia, laia . . .

I will show how to get peace
It's not hard to get in this way
Your past doesn't matter, everything was left behind
Come and dance samba with us.

If your life doesn't let you stop to think
Pay attention to what I will tell you
What I take here with me is not illusion
It's solution

I will show you how to get love
Don't think that you are lost
I am not a nobody but a servant of God
Come to this samba party.

How many friends told you to give up
Or get drunk
Don't put your life in this sea of pain
You are valuable.

Jesus came into my life
Taking all the empty places
And now it's forever this happiness that I have
Jesus opened His arms for me
And now He wants to give you
The love that only He has.

COPYRIGHT HEART SOUNDS INTERNATIONAL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

HSI WEBSITE:
www.heart-sounds.org

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sounds
• global
• worship
• indigenous
• brazil
• brasil
• samba
• favela
• ethnomusicology
• ethnodoxology
• praise
• music
• song

[Guatorican15]

I love this!

[LiamZTing]

hey is this in 4/4 time signature



[petenloiana]

Sport do Recife!!! Boa camisa!! I like this song... I wish I could find more Christ-honoring songs like this and in other Brazilian styles.

[devascoyanda]

love it ! <3

[OvieSnips8]

can someone send me more music like this????

[BadSM1]

LALALA SAMBA,, I LUV THIS SO MUCH!

[sampayu]

@groundge2

You're welcome!

(De nada!)

=]

[sampayu]

@groundge2

Here in Brazil, the average Congo video is usually shot by common citizens on folkloristic parties ("Congadas") in their neighbourhood. For instance, these are some (quite rudimentary) Congada videos:

watch?v=IDPHrcSIbUw

watch?v=eMk53C2xiEw

watch?v=gU3No5pHfsg

What Carlinhos Brown and Sergio Mendes did was to give brazilian Congo a good audio treatment and a good "for export" production. But that's definitely not Samba.

[groundge2]

@sampayu Oh, ok. Thank you very very much for the info. Greetings from Peru

[sampayu]

@groundge2

I see...

Well, that song (Magalenha) isn't actually Samba (music): that's a folkloristic brazilian rhythm known as "Congo". The name is related to african slaves from Congo (country) that created the rhythm when they were brought to Brazil.

Nowadays, when people get together to play, listen and dance Congo you have a "Congada" (Congo party).

But you won't find Congo music in the form Carlinhos Brown and Sergio Mendes did (remixed, remastered, visually well produced et cetera).