‘Amazonian Beyonce’ to join list of Brazilian artists for one night only

‘Amazonian Beyonce’ Gaby Amarantos. Photograph: Mais Um

Brazil may be defending itself against claims it’s not fit to host the World Cup, but that has not stopped the party from starting early.

For those of us who can’t make it to football’s most famous tournament in Brazil next year, a group of music producers together with The Barbican are offering an evening in the East End that is set to be a reminder of the infectious energy of Brazilian music.

On Thursday 25 July, Mais Um Discos, the cutting-edge producers and promoters of contemporary Brazilian sounds, will present a triple bill of new artists at the Village Underground in Shoreditch.

This is more than just traditional fare and will showcase innovative new sounds that go beyond bossa, samba and baile funk.

‘Amazonian Beyonce’ Gaby Amarantos will bring her unique brand of tropical dance music to Europe for the first time for the event, and modernist Brazilian singer-songwriter Lucas Santtana will be mixing Brazilian rhythms with a varied palette of influences from dub to afrobeat to hip-hop.

Six-piece band Graveola blend influences from folk, rock, funk, blues and 1970s Tropicalia and will bring a little bit of everything to this eclectic night.

These artists are all united by the unmistakably Portuguese mix of sharp consonants and nasal scrambling of vowels – both great attributes from a musical perspective.

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive survey of Brazilian sounds, DJ Mais Um Gringo has done all the gruntwork, scouring the streets of Brazil in search of the definitive compilation of the country’s best new artists.

The result is a new audio CD called ‘Oi! A Nova Musica Brasileira!’ which reveals a vibrant music scene combining the unmistakeable, infectious energy of Brazilian culture with the global exchange of sounds that is contemporary music.

“Foreign yet familiar” is how DJ Mais Um describes it.

The effortless, velvety rhythms of Allessandra Leao are a particular highlight.

New sounds of Brazil / Novos sons do Brasil
 is on Thursday 25 July 2013 at 8pm at Village Underground. Tickets: £15