
Batucada Sound Machine: Live at the bowl of Brooklands
By Martyn Pepperell
I'm usually not a fan of live albums, especially when they are recordings of shows I wish I attended but didn't. I had heard a lot of about this group so gave it my best effort to listen objectively. Batucada Sound Machine weave an enthralling live mixture of samba, maracatu and hip hop which is detailed by a seven-piece percussion line up, horn section, drums and vocalists singing and rapping in Portuguese, Spanish and English. The resulting sound has led to extensive international touring and numerous high profile appearances and support slots in our own country. Despite the overwhelming sense of energy present the overall sound of this live recording sadly does seem messy in parts. Satisfaction no doubt for fans, and listening to this CD certainly perked up my interest in BSM. I eagerly await their studio album and the aural treasures it should yield.
Related Information