Música

“É indiscutível que a Bixiga 70 não só evoluiu seguindo sua linha como se aventurou e, se mudou, mudou para melhor. Temas como "Na Quarta-Feira" (segundo single lançado), "Parajú" e "Marginal Elevado Radial" (que não nega a origem paulistana) seriam impensáveis sem o período pesado que passamos, sem a eletrônica, sem a gana de subir nos palcos de novo, sem o "sangue-nos-óio" aliado a (um) novo(s) olhar(es).” Luiz Chagas

“It’s big, brassy and Brazilian. It’s Bixiga 70, back in the socket for their fourth album and their second for Glitterbeat. If the formula remains largely the same, there’s no denying the potency.
… Indeed, Quebra Cabeça would serve as music for driving at speed in the outside lane of an urban motorway: it’s restless and relentless and you need to keep your wits about you. Bixiga 70 have delivered the goods once more with their now customary verve.”
Mark Sampson *****

“It might be audacious to suggest that Bixiga 70 represents one of the highest peaks of Afro-Brazilian music, but their new album Quebra Cabeça makes it hard to imagine anything grander in scope.
… Quebra Cabeça means “puzzle” in Portuguese, but its literal translation is something like “break head” – appropriately close to “mindblowing”, the perfect adjective for any Bixiga 70 release, especially this one, an appropriately diverse reflection of the streets of São Paulo and far, far beyond. If it is a puzzle, it’s a satisfying one, and the different pieces – so many of them – come together brilliantly.”
Adriane Pontecorvo

The dubmaster on The Copan Connection, Victor Rice is a transplanted New Yorker, now residing in Sao Paulo. His contribution to the Brazilian music scene in the last years has been massive. Besides Bixiga 70, Rice’s production skills have been sought out by a who’s-who of established and emerging Brazilian artists including the legendary Elza Soares and the recent Latin Grammy winner Tulipa Ruiz. But Victor’s discography is also chock-full of reggae, ska and dub productions including a contribution to the dubbed out, Pink Floyd remake album Dubber Side of the Moon.
The Copan Connection: Bixiga 70 meets Victor Rice is a summit of equals. It is the music of a sensational band meeting the soundworld of a sensational producer. It pushes Afro- Brazilian music into a mind-blowing, alternate dimension.

“Along the 45 minutes of III, Bixiga 70 reveal a remarkable cohesiveness, a unique feature for such a large ensemble. Their musical communion is essentially absolute and can be easily pointed as the reason why their sound is so overwhelming and passionate.
It’s not a cinch to stand out in the impressive Brazilian music scene, but Bixiga 70 have today become an easily recognisable expression, which not simply distinguish themselves but are also able to enrich the scene.”
Marco Canepari (Sounds and Colors) ****

"Undoubtedly the best Brazilian album of 2013, and possibly the best Brazilian album of 2014 now that it’s being released internationally, this is essential listening. If you like afrobeat, Ethiojazz, brass bands, polyrhythmic paeans, Bootsy Collins jams, Saharan grooves, acid jazz moves or any form of music that’s ever existed then you’ve got to listen to this album. It really doesn’t get much better."
Russ Slater (Sounds and Colours) *****

This big band from São Paulo have their roots in Nigerian Afrobeat, with its relentless grooves and giant brass blasts, but on this second album the 10-piece weave in other strands. Isa borrows its sinuous melody from Ethio-jazz, Cinco Equinas has a James Brown beat and Kalimba lifts off into Congolese soukous. Elsewhere, swirls of psych-organ vie with dub and home-grown candomblé. It's all instrumental but the energy and intelligence of the playing are irresistible."
The Guardian ****

“Imaginative, progressive… Sao Paulo’s Bixiga 70 are using Afrobeat as the stock in a stew that’s spiked with ingredients from Brazil, the Caribbean and other parts of Africa.”
The Guardian

“Killer reissue of Bixiga 70’s debut album. From the opening track “Grito de Paz” you know you’re in for something special, with Bixiga 70 refining their own vision of afrobeat that includes elements of Afro-Brazilian spirituals and pop, as well as disco and funk. Stellar stuff!”
Sounds and Colors