ALBUM RELEASE ALÁFIA - “SP NÃO É SOPA” (2017)

CONTACTS - Emilie Bloch & Tatiana Dascal contato@agogocultural.com.br +55 (11) 3495.7895

ALÁFIA LAUNCHES SOUNDTRACK FOR THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO

The band's third album reflects the political, social and racial issues within the Brazilian Megalopolis

A little more than a year after "Corpura", Aláfia ('open roads' in Yoruba)

launches 'SP NÃO É SOPA, NA BEIRADA ESQUENTA' (which could be

translated as 'SP isn't duck soup, it gets hot on the edge'). With eleven tracks,

the new album produced and directed by Eduardo Brechó is a soundtrack for

the megalopolis, with several local artists taking part. "São Paulo is indeed a

relationship of love and hate. I thought a lot about the great Blaxploitation

scores to produce this concrete and acid tribute", explains Brechó, who also

authors ten of the eleven tracks listed in this album. "The lyrics speak of

Amaral Gurgel, Bela Vista, Brasilândia, Vila Madalena, São Mateus, Capão

Redondo and the neighbourhoods through which we circulate," he adds.

Considered by its eleven members as an evolution of all the work the band developed in its nearly 6 years of

existence, "SP NÃO É SOPA" brings songs with Aláfia’s traditional references, but dressed up in unconventional

attire. "Although we bring a very different sound from those of previous albums, the references are the same, both

in form and content. Poetry, funk and Candomblé are our roots and we maintained the concept of our aesthetics.

The difference is on the emphasis of electronic elements, filters and processes, which led to the construction of a

dirtier and more urban sound, focusing on the outskirts of the city. We sail between chaos, violence and

tenderness”. Candomblé's rhythmic patterns are here, but less highlighted than in the two previous records:

"There is no rupture by not mentioning directly, in this album, the patterns and subjects related to the orixás

and/or the worship yard elements, it's just another approach to the same teachings and themes".

The featured artists from this album are Raquel Virgínia and Assucena, from the band As Bahias e a Cozinha

Mineira, singing on the track "Mano e Mona"; Fernando Ripol, from Samba do Congo, in "Agogô de 5 Bocas";

and Luísa Maita in "Saracura". Contributions also include Vinícius Chagas on the saxophone; Marco Mattoli on

the guitar; Robinho Tavares on the bass; Julio Fejuca on the guitar, seven-string guitar and cavaco; João

Parahyba plays the 'timbatera' (Brazilian drums); the scratches and collages are signed by DJ Nyack

(Discopédia).

"SP NÃO É SOPA, NA BEIRADA ESQUENTA" was recorded at the Red Bull Studios and Fluxo Produções in

São Paulo, and was mixed by Rodrigo Funai and Gustavo Lenza. Felipe Tichauer (Redtraxx Studio) is

responsible for mastering. Musical co-production is signed by Filipe Gomes, the band's drummer.

ABOUT ALÁFIA

Eleven personalities assembled give rise to a dense, cosmopolitan, dancing sound. It all started back in 2011,

when the Aláfia pack was heating up their affinities with a run of performances at Bar B, in the center of São

Paulo. The street language, the freshness of these gatherings, and the deep liaison with the Afro-Brazilian

ancestry dawned as crucial aspects to the creation of the group. Aláfia is the clash of modern and traditional,

ALBUM RELEASE ALÁFIA - “SP NÃO É SOPA” (2017)

CONTACTS - Emilie Bloch & Tatiana Dascal contato@agogocultural.com.br +55 (11) 3495.7895

center and periphery, simplicity and sophistication, peace and struggle. Of urban nature, the

troop belongs in the entranced city. Aláfia’s music rises from the digestion of such diverse influences, a meeting

point of rap, Brazilian pop music, funk, as well as the musicality of traditional worship yards. Rhythms and

melodies shape a sophisticated lyricism that questions the current society, leaving no one indifferent. With

Eduardo Brechó (vocals and guitar), Jairo Pereira (vocals), Xênia França (vocals), Lucas Cirillo (harmonica),

Alysson Bruno (percussion), Pedro Bandera (percussion) Pipo Pegoraro (guitar), Filipe Gomes (drums), Gil

Duarte (trombone and flute), Fabio Leandro (keyboards) and Gabriel Catanzaro (bass), the band also counts with

several partners and friends in the current musical scene.

After releasing a first eponymous album in 2013 at SESC Pompéia with packed house, Aláfia has been

through all over the city and state of São Paulo, marking their presence in local venues. They took part in

important events, such as the Black Consciousness Day at the Anhangabaú Valley, the Virada Cultural of both

city and state of São Paulo, the opening of Cooperifa’s culture festival, João Rock Festival in Ribeirão Preto,

Favela Monte Azul Festival, among others. The band also made itself present in other states: at the SESC Cariri

cultural festival, in Ceará; and the Festival Veraneio, held at Oi Futuro Ipanema, in Rio de Janeiro; until making

its first overseas performance at Plaza de la Revolución in La Havana, Cuba.

Its originality was highlighted by the media and acknowledged by the music scene. The song Mais Tarde

made it to the soundtrack of the “Fifa World Cup 2014” videogame, by Electronic Arts, while Em Punga

integrates the New Sounds selection of the British magazine Songlines. In May 2014, Aláfia released the single

Quintal along with their first video, which had over four thousand views in the first 48 hours.

2015 marks the release of their 2nd record, Corpura (YB Music), sponsored by the Natura Musical program.

Produced by Alê Siqueira and Eduardo Brechó, it brings along the band’s commitment not only to its Brazilian

roots and matrixes, but also to the need of dialoguing with the country’s cultural and social realities. Current and

relevant issues are approached and brought to music while Aláfia flirts with Carioca black music back from the

70s, along with touches of North American and African funk. The “candomblé funk” then reaches its maturity.

Corpura equally leads to reflection and invites do dance.

Launched in September 2015, at Auditório Ibirapuera in São Paulo, and it conquered the whole Brazil,

touring more than 80 shows in a year and a half. The band played in mains Brazilian cities as Rio de Janeiro,

Porto Alegre, Florianópolis, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Salvador, Natal, Curitiba, Belém, etc.

Aláfia is now launching its 3rd album to be released February 2017, and expending their music abroad. They

where selected for official showcase at Circulart (2016 Medellin, Colombia), toured in Chile and Uruguay in

January 2017, and will play for the first time in Europe in May-June 2017.

LINKS

www.alafia.art.br

www.facebook.com/aifalaalafia

www.youtube.com/alafiatv

https://soundcloud.com/alafia