As suggested by the clenched fist on the album cover, this time around
Cidade Negra aims at producing something more than the bland, mainstream reggae sound that dominated the band's previous releases. On this album, the sound is less polished and slightly more powerful than usual, with the guitar and percussion given a more prominent role than before. On songs like "Favela" and "A Voz Do Excluído," the lyrics also contain a political message, touching the problems of Brazil's lower class. On some tracks,
Cidade Negra even abandons its trademark reggae style for other music styles, as for example on the bossa-inspired "Cantando Na Rua" and the guitar and percussion-driven title track, "Enquanto O Mundo Gira." Although the reggae beat and the ultra smooth voice of singer Toni Garrido still prevail on
Enquanto, it is without doubt
Cidade Negra's most ambitious album, both musically and lyrically, up to this point in the band's career. ~ Philip Jandovský