Released 50 years ago
África Brasil
Jorge Ben · 1976
41 min · 11 tracks · música popular brasileira
A vibrant fusion of samba, rock, and Brazilian rhythms that pulses with the spirit of Afro-Brazilian culture.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ponta de lança africano (Umbabarauma) — This track features infectious rhythms and lyrics that celebrate African heritage, encapsulating the album's theme of cultural pride.
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Taj Mahal — Incorporating elements from various genres, this song showcases Ben's unique ability to blend traditional sounds with contemporary influences, making it a standout piece.
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Xica da Silva — This track tells the story of a historical figure through vibrant instrumentation and engaging narrative, reflecting Ben's skill in merging storytelling with music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's fusion of rhythms and cultural themes creates a distinctive sound that resonates with listeners.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong rhythmic pulse in 'Ponta de lança africano', establishing a vibrant groove that carries through multiple tracks.
- Several songs feature call-and-response vocals, reflecting traditional Afro-Brazilian musical forms and enhancing the communal feel.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady rhythmic journey throughout
- celebratory vibes for gatherings
- uplifting energy for daytime
- engaging storytelling with each track
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid cohesive listening experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Represents an artistic high point with rich cultural exploration and innovation.
- Career context
- By the time Jorge Ben released África Brasil in 1976, he was already a well-established artist known for his innovative blend of samba and rock. This album followed his earlier successes like Samba Esquema Novo and marked a creative peak, showcasing his evolving sound as he embraced more complex arrangements and themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Gilberto Gil· Caetano Veloso· Os Mutantes
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Ponta de lança africano (Umbabarauma) 3:58
- 2 Hermes Trismegisto escreveu 3:04
- 3 O filósofo 3:30
- 4 Meus filhos, meu tesouro 3:53
- 5 O plebeu 3:18
- 6 Taj Mahal 3:10
- 7 Xica da Silva 4:00
- 8 A história de Jorge 3:53
- 9 Camisa 10 da Gávea 4:18
- 10 Cavaleiro do cavalo imaculado 4:43
- 11 África Brasil (Zumbi) 3:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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