Batucada Sound Machine - EP
The first release of material from Batucada Sound Machine, the self-titled EP consists of six tracks – the majority of them recorded live at Maori TV and the bFM studios. Some of these tracks you find it difficult to believe that they've been completely "recorded live" - the tightness of this band with their personal styles just gels together seamlessly.
Batucada Sound Machine is a great live band and this offering captures their flavour well. What you get is an interesting mix of heavily percussive Latin styles, mixed with some rapping vocals and scratch that adds a dusting of hip-hop. It's a totally infectious mix that just gets you bobbing along seemingly without even noticing it. Particular stand out tracks include the enormous sounding "The Power/God of Nations", and the strongly Latin influenced and nicely produced "Shameless – Piha Samba Mix '04" which has some stylish backing vocals caressing over the top of a nice feel.
An EP that will take you by surprise for those who haven't had the Batucada Sound Machine experience, and will make you want to look out for them on the live scene, which I thoroughly recommend.
A real gem.
- Honest John
