The music label Kafundó Records, of which I, Wolfram Lange aka SoundGoods, was a member, was founded in Rio de Janeiro in 2014 to release new, innovative music from the current Brazilian music scene that was inspired by, built on, and celebrated centuries-old Afro-Brazilian rhythms.
“Cafundó” means a far away and isolated place in Brazilian Portuguese. Beyond the favela/asfalto binary that exists in Brazil’s urban areas, there are alternative spaces that exist both within and outside the city. These places are “far away” from traditional Brazilian social politics. The most commonly recognized such place is the Afro-Brazilian “quilombo” the Brazilian version of a maroon community. This third space within the Brazilian social geography was the source material of inspiration for many of the songs on Kafundó Records, music from the neglected peripheries of the Brazilian music scene. Not only using Afro-Brazilian traditional rhythms and instruments, many of these artists on Kafundó Records look beyond Brazil to the greater African diaspora. Songs using Brazilian popular rhythms such as Coco, Forró, and Carimbó are fused with digital styles formed in the ghettos of Jamaica and the United States. In this they aim to reframe the sometimes-conflict-ridden Brazilian identity politics, to represent as participants in, and in solidarity with the global African diaspora. The result is Afro-Brazilian electronic music with regional or folkloric elements.
The compilation series on Kafundó Records that I co-curated benefited from their close relationship with many of the key players in the contemporary Brazilian electronic scene. As Kafundó Records has been discontinued, find here the last home of the compilations series and remix albums.
Download all at once
Kafundó Vol. 1: Digital Roots Music from Brazil (2014)
“Cafundó” means a far away and isolated place in Brazilian Portuguese. Beyond the favela/asfalto binary that exists in Brazil’s urban areas, there are alternative spaces that exist both within and outside the city. These places are “far away” from traditional Brazilian social politics. The most commonly recognized such place is the Afro-Brazilian “quilombo” the Brazilian version of a maroon community or a “palenque”. This third space within the Brazilian social geography is the source material of inspiration for many of the songs on Kafundó Vol. 1. Not only using Afro-Brazilian traditional rhythms and instruments, but many of these artists look beyond Brazil to the greater African diaspora. Songs using Brazilian popular rhythms such as samba, forró, and carimbó are fused with digital styles formed in the ghettos of Jamaica and the United States. In this they aim to reframe the sometimes-conflict-ridden Brazilian identity politics, to represent as participants in, and in solidarity with the global African diaspora.
Download
Tracklist:
01. Combo X – Bua Sound All Day
02. Tropkillaz – Kizoombow
03. Omulú vs. Comrade – Bagulho Doido
04. Lucio K – Bahea!
05. Mauro Telefunksoul & A.MA.$$A – Apache Nagoh (Rasteira Edit)
06. FurmigaDub & Atômico MC – Forró do Ragga (Part. Alex Madureira)
07. Ba-Boom – Mano Sujou
08. Zé Brown – Eu Valorizo
09. Sombra – Chuva de Gente Estranha
10. Stank – Godê Pavão
11. DJ Mangaio e Coletivo di Tambor – Carimbó Remix
12. BaianaSystem – Oxe Como Era Doce (Remix)
13. Som Peba – Arrozx
14. DaGanja – Tá No Ar
15. Russo Passapusso – Matuto
16. Neguedemundo – Toca Aí (Buguinha Remix)
Reviewed on Okayafrica & Sounds & Colours.
Kafundó Vol. 2: Roots and Bass Music from Brazil (2015)
This second volume in Kafundó’s compilation series continues with the first’s mission to represent “electronic roots music” from a “third space” within Brazilian social geography. Songs using Brazilian regional rhythms are fused with digital styles formed in the ghettos of Jamaica and the United States. In this they aim to reframe the sometimes conflict-ridden Brazilian identity politics, to represent as participants in, and in solidarity with the global African diaspora.
Download
Tracklist:
01. Lurdez da Luz – Naija
02. Comrade – Dominei feat. Dughettu & MC Ialy
03. Sistah Mo Respect – Já Ouvi Dizer (prod. Gabriel Marinho)
04. Neguedmundo – Chapa Coco
05. Sacassaia – Ninguém Dorme feat. Ras Kakaroto
06. Anitta Garybaldi – Ainda Dapadá (FurmigaDub Remix)
07. Os Nelsons – Novo Dia
08. DJ Dolores & Nonfofo Gang – Canção de Zara
09. Gaspar Z’Africa Brasil – Rap na Palma de Mão
10. Chico Correa – Cantador (RMK 2014)
11. Mauro Telefunksoul – Ajéumba$$ (Tributo ao Cortejo Afro)
12. Lord Breu – Cortejo Grave
13. ÀTTØØXXÁ – Arabomb
Reviewed on Sounds & Colours and Afropop Worldwide.
Kafundó Vol. 3: Electronic Roots from N/E Brazil (2015)
This time, the focus is North and North-East Brazil, a region with a large Afro-descendant population, and a music scene that is heavily influenced by Caribbean sounds. This association with the Caribbean has helped foment a pride in Afro-Brazilian and Black culture in general. The result is a transnational stew where Coco meets Dancehall, Forró meets Dubstep, and Brega meets Moombahton. Carimbó with Wobble Bass, glitched out Dub Coco, Bahian Hip Hop Ragga, Moombahton Samba, to Maracatu Samba Dub Hip Hop and frenetic punked out Frevotron.
Download
Tracklist:
01. FurmigaDub – Saudadidela (Original Mix)
02. Radiola Serra Alta – Coco de Nosso Senhor
03. ChicoCorrea e Totonho – Rosa da Matinha
04. Nirso – Tranca Rua
05. Opanijé – Vamuinvadi (part. Loquaz)
06. Bemba Trio – Melô do Vatapá (Lucio K Remix)
07. DJ MAM feat. Nazaco Gomes – Sambarimbó (Mambathon Mix)
08. Superlage – Uh La Lai
09. Mohandas – Saudades do Pará
10. naurÊa – Xangô na Dansanteria
11. Salvador Santo – Bakaboom part. Lino
12. B.Réu – Maracatu Dirty
13. Coletivo di Tambor – Todo Mundo Samba
14. Frevotron feat. Otto – Frevo Escroço
Reviewed on Africa Is A Country, Deutschlandfunk & TAZ,
Kafundó Vol. 4: Carimbó, Baião and Beyond (2016)
The forth Kafundó compilation explores again sounds from the North and Northeast of Brazil – from the high, arid plateaus of the interior to the swampy mangroves of the Amazon basin and out to the balmy swing of the coast. Carimbó, baião, lambada, merengue forró, electric rhythm guitar riffs oozing swing, dub effects, 808s. These are the sounds of the sweaty, swinging, underground tropics of northern Brazil.
Download
Tracklist:
01. Coutto Orchestra – Juanita
02. Curica – Pedreirinha de Marituba (DJ Nirso Remix)
03. Felipe Cordeiro – Cravo e Canela
04. Seu Pereira & Musa Caliente – Carimbó da Penha
05. Dirimbó – Cacarimbó
06. Caapora – Baião de Veraneio
07. Silvério Pessoa – Mix Raça
08. Ben Charles – Vai ter arraiá debaixo da lua
09. Totonho – Mané Bolimm
10. Rimas.INC. – Canto das Farinhadas – Piau Nadando (Rimas.INC Moombah)
11. Engole Cobra – Curupira (Uaná System Remix)
12. Forró Red Light – Guitarreira Forrozada
Kafundó Vol. 5: Afro-Brazilian Roots and Wires (2017)
The fifth Kafundó compilation explores afro-brazilian rhythms from around Brazil and its varied manifestations and fusions with modern popular culture. The depth, diversity and resilience of these rhythms is testament to the strength and sophistication of the roots of Afro-Brazilian culture.
Born in an era when every region had its own distinct micro rhythms, expressions, songs and unique quirks, these rhythms have been passed down through generations, eventually meeting with rhythms, styles and contexts from other regions in Brazil, and from around the world, to create hybrids. And hybrids of hybrids…. The songs on this compilation range from roots music made by community groups in the amazon to candomblé groups to established São Paulo based musicians to DJs and MCs from the underground hip hop scene – all of whom work with original Afro-Brazilian rhythmic cells. Individually, they travel to distant and unique places based on their interpretation and incorporation of ancestral rhythmic roots. “Kafundó Vol. 5: Afro-Brazilian Roots and Wires” is an exploration in traditional Afro-Brazilian rhythms from roots incarnations to manifestations in urban music.
Download
Tracklist:
01. Grupo Bongar – Ògún
02. Samba De Veio Da Ilha Do Massangano – Tira Palma-Casa de Palha-Varanda Boa
03. Oyá Tokolê Afoxé – Ogum
04. Samba de Matuto Leão da Primavera Maragogi – Nunca Me Faltou Sonora
05. Rumbanda – Alô seu Luiz
06. Môa do Katendê – De Passo em Passo
07. Noites do Norte – Um Canto Só
08. Caê – O Caçador de Flecha
09. Anelis Assumpção – Deuso Deusa
10. Afrocidade – Que Swingue é esse?
11. Ubunto – Atlântico
12. Thiago Elniño – Diáspora
13. Capoeira Soundsystem – Sabiá Cantou
Kafundó Vol. 5: Afro-Brazilian Roots and Wires (2017)
Afrobeat is enjoying a solid surge of support and reincarnation amongst the underground scene in Brazil. Virtually all of the state’s capital cities have a band (or 3!) championing the afrobeat movement. This compilation shows how musicians from diverse corners of the contemporary Brazilian music scene are being inspired to infuse elements of this sound into their work.
The artists range from the non-stop touring machine based in São Paulo, Bixiga 70, to the pioneer afrobeat group, Abayomy jn Rio de Janeiro, to fellow carioca and frequent collaborator, BNegão, who here also participates on a track from legendary singer Tonho Crocco. To Belo Horizonte’s Iconili to Salvador’s Ifá. A cross section of the current afrobeat scene in Brazil today – dive in!
Download
Tracklist:
01. Abayomy – Abra sua cabeça
02. ÈKÓ Afrobeat – Arafro
03. Tonho Crocco – Baobá
04. Lucas Santtana – Mariazinha Morena Clara
05. BNegão & Seletores de Frequência – Bass do Tambô
06. Marsa – Circular Movimento
07. Iconili – Solar
08. Afroelectro – Banzeiro Grande
09. Bixiga 70 – Machado
10. DJ MAM feat. Kologbo & Aleh Ferreira – Iemanjá Carioca
11. Otto Nascarella – Onde Vai Dar
12. André Sampaio – Coluna de Aço
13. Ifá – Contra Golpe
14. Abeokuta – Orunmilá
Reviewed on Afropop Worldwide & Cassette Blog.
Kafundó Apresenta Samba de Coco Raízes de Arcoverde REMIXED (2018)
Hailing from Arcoverde, in the semi-arid desert interior of Pernambuco, Samba de Coco Raízes de Arcoverde was formed in 1992 by Lula Calixto and the Lopes sisters Elaborating on a unique form of regional northeastern Afro-Brazilian culture, their recent album on Kafundó Records pulled them outside of their comfort zone to bring in new instruments, arrangements and sounds. The first time alfaias, caixas, timbaus, electronic dub FX and heavy sub bass have been included in their sound.
Kafundó Records endeavored to take their sound even further by calling in a cadre of heavy weight Brazilian DJs to remix the album. They went the distance, deftly and naturally situating the original rhythms, melodies, instruments and voices within the cutting edge world of modern electronic bass music – from the psychedelic, evolving arrangements of Psilosamples and Carrot Green to the digi dancehall ragga cuts of Chico Correa to the moombahton oscillations of Lucio K.
Download
Tracklist:
01. O Grilo (Tahira Remix)
02. Salve Deus (Psilosamples Remix)
03. Astro Nilda (DJ Nirso Remix)
04. Beija Flor (Chico Correa Remix)
05. Lamento (DJ MAM e Deeplick Remix)
06. Sabiá (Buguinha Adubada Remix )
07. O Medroso (DJ Dolores & Yuri Queiroga Remix)
08. Carro de Trem (Ubunto Remix)
09. Canta Coco Morena (Lucio K Remix)
10. O Gemedor (DJ Tide Remix)
11. Zé do Candeeiro (DJ Incidental Remix)
12. A Sereia (FurmigaDub Remix)
13. Andrelina (Salvador Araguaya Remix)
14. Oh Sinhá! (Carrot Green Remix)
Léo Leobons – Ritual REMIXED (2019)
Initiated into candomblé at 8 years of age as Ogã de Xangô, Léo Leobons has rhythm in his veins. Today, he is the most accomplished Brazilian authority on afro-cuban folklore, having contributed to the education of a whole generation of percussionists from Rio de Janeiro. He has worked with everyone from Maria Rita to Azymuth; from Nando Reis to Pedro Luís e a Parede; from Lucas Santtana and Ramiro Musotto to appearances with Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri. His work appears in films, documentaries, radio programs and television in Brazil and around the world.
Full of rich collaborations with brilliant musicians from across the spectrum of current and traditional music in Brazil, his new album, “Ritual,” brings all of his experience together into one cohesive whole, traversing and combining Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Cuban traditions into one seamless and organic package.
“Ritual REMIXED” takes it one step further by passing the original material along to a crew of remixers who push, pull, warp and morph the ancestral rhythms into productions meant to be heard on large sound systems.
Download
Tracklist:
01. São Bento pra Ramiro (Chico Correa Remix)
02. Obá Ibo (Lagartijeando Remix)
03. All of Those Things (DJ Farrapo Remix)
04. Ogún (Remix)
05. Arará (Teleseen Remix)
06. Teu Amor (MiRET Remix)
07. Caboclo (Tahira Remix)
08. Rei do Norte (Ohxalá Remix)
09. Vida (Ricardo Imperatore & DaWise Remix)
Kafundó Vol. 7: Brazuka Reggae (2019)
“Reggae” music from Brazil or Brazilian music with elements of reggae or somewhere in between… This isn’t some guys trying to sound like Jamaican reggae and singing in Portuguese. This is a deep fusion where the original rhythmic cells are always felt, maintained and respected and built upon. Where a filtered feedback from a delay hovers above the dumskadum of a pandeiro while a surdo sits in for a deep dub bass line.
The compilation features a variety of artists from across Brazil, DJ Môco feat MC Debinha (yet another fantastic incarnation of DJ Dolores), the super fast and hard embolada ragga rapper from Triunfo in the interior of Pernambuco, Jéssica Caitano, to NeguEdmundo, a repeat Kafundó contributor from Natal, now living in São Paulo. Future retro Recife brega funk to bass music remixes to dub reggae and northeastern Brazilian traditional rhythms.
Download
Tracklist:
01. DJ Môco feat. MC Debinha – Baile da Putaria
02. NeguEdmundo & RockersControl – Eu Vou Cantar (Cultura Potiguar)
03. Jéssica Caitano – O Mote
04. Sourebel – Não Fique Parado
05. Criolina – A menina do Salão
06. FurmigaDub – Baculejo (Lucio K Remix)
07. Caê – O Caçador e a Flecha (DJ Incidental Remix)
08. Totonho e os Cabra – Unzinho Oriental
09. DuSouto – Templo Perdido
10. Zeca Costa – Fio Fino
11. Seu Pereira e Coletivo 401 – Xote do Beijo
12. Ben Charles – O Amor e a Esperança em tempos de aquecimento global
