A child of the mangue bit movement, which took northeastern Brazil by storm during the 90s and started a social and cultural revolution similar to the Tropicalia movement of the late 60s, Helder Aragao aka DJ Dolores persists in a similar vein with a melting pot of the most exhilarating international and local influences. Since the early 2000s, the producer has been DJing at different nights in Recife, exporting his cheerful cocktail of funk, electro, forro, maracatu and other tropical rhythms to various strongholds of the global village. Even though good spirits are the main motif on Recife 19, its conception was a reaction to the thick clouds of frustration and uncertainty which have manifested as a result of the country’s authoritarian politics.
These emotions are put into contrast with each other on songs that blend almost Balkan-sounding brass instruments (Rua), African-style guitars (O Gringo), and some rhythmic cumbia (Nanquim). Today’s most iconic voices of Pernambuco seem to have all been invited to this party. From the frenzied singing of Erica Natuza, an alumnus of The Voice Brasil, Isaar França’s cheeky tones, the deep accents of Jr. Black’s voice or the rapper Edgar’s switched-on flow, the variety is eclectic. The red carpet has also been rolled out in honour of a historical figure of the MPB (Música popular brasileira), Jards Macalé who co-writes, plays the guitar and sings on Mundanças. Always the perfectionist, Dolores adjusts each lively ingredient on this album to transform Recife 19 into an effective antidote for the threatening distress in Brazil. © Benjamin MiNiMuM/Qobuz