Tribo Massahi: Side A: Timolo Timode
1 - Walk by jungle
2 - Fareua
3 - Harmatan
4 - Dandara
Tribo Massahi: Side B: Lido's square
1 - Pae Jo„o
2 - Menina da janela
3 - OAN
4 - Madrugada sem lugar
Obscurity. This is a word that defines very well the origin of this record.
I discoverd it thanks to a kind friend who bought it from an online auction and sent the mp3s to me.
I got hooked the first time I heard it, and started to look for information everywhere. I asked about it to all the record sellers, dealers and collectors I knew and nobody had nothing to say. For the most, that was the first time they heard about this album.
At the time (4 years ago) the only reference about it I found online was in Ed Motta's blog*, and he was looking for some information, too. Right then and there I realized that my task wasn't easy at all.
Nowadays you can find the record shared at some blogs, but still there's no information about Embaixador and his tribe.
The only thing I found about him is that he passed away some years ago and had a small participation on a Roberto Carlos' movie called "Roberto Carlos em Ritmo de Aventura" where he played the role of a gangster.
I have a friend who tried to track him down with no luck. Even information about the label (Rivers) is unavailable. There is no other known releases by them.
Aside from Embaixador, who has a brazilian name (Embaixador Frederico Mendes), all the other members have African names.
I suppose Embaixador wasn't his real name, just a nickname that means Ambassador, but like everything else regarding the band, I can't confirm it.
Embaixador also released a 7 inches record with two songs (Timulamudê, and Fareuá), that is as rare as his album.
So, to give you something and make your time worth, I decided to do a free translation of the liner notes. They won't add any data about the Tribe, but describes what the album means to them.
"Tribo Massáhi, starring Embaixador
This is a sound made in Brazil. With all the members (being) brazilian.
But the purpose is to show the young African music, with all its nuances that characterize the roots of the music from the Black Continent.
In this record we release many curious things. Starting with the rhythmic design, that was based on the camel's steps, that is in the 4/4 rhythmic division, in the same vein as the Yeah, Yeah, Yeah and Soul Music, to which was given the name
OGA, because in Lagos, Nigeria's capital, OGA is a kind compliment among friends. There, a man feels good when is compared to an OGA (camel).
Purposefully and proudly, Rivers label releases this new and different record, made for export, that’s not only dedicated to the discophiles, as well as the lovers of parties, night clubs, and even to those who are in love, because on both sides, there are no intervals. It's a crazy and infectious rhythm."
Like a friend of mine said: It’s an insane record!
It's hard to describe the music played by Embaixador and Tribo Massáhi. It has a Funky groove with lots of percussion, and vocals by Embaixador and a female chorus. Sometimes it sounds like African music, but not necessarily Afrobeat or Afrofunk; it's more like a Candomble (African-Brazilian religion) chant. Also, it has some influences of psychedelic music, that is characteristic of the music made in the early 70's. To me it sounds like they took some drugs and went to the studio make music and have some fun.
Each side has only one long track, that is divided in songs, although there are no intervals between them.
These are the tracklist and credits:
Side 1 - Timolô, Timodê
1 - Walk by jungle
2 - Fareua
3 - Harmatan
4 - Dandara
Side 2 - Lido's Square
1 - Pae João
2 - Menina da janela
3 - OAN
4 - Madrugada sem lugar
Tribo's members are: Aymmi, Koffi, Korede, Kolawole, Duro Timi, Omopupa, Iyalode, and Abeke.
Guest musicians: Lápis (cow bells), Romildo (Bass), Rui Barbosa (Acoustic guitar), and Nathalie (vocals).
All the comments are welcome, and we hope you enjoy the Tribo Massáhi's music.
E
* Ed Motta is a brazilian singer, composer and arranger, and has a collection of more than 30.000 records.
You can find more about him and his music at http://edmotta.uol.com.br/
Here's all you need