Vasconcelos, Nana
Africadeus (black)
Spiritual, intimate and revolutionary, yet firmly rooted in Brazil's folklore, 'Africadeus' was the breakthrough album of the mighty Naná Vasconcelos. In his first solo album, Naná introduced the berimbau to the world, taking the instrument, which was otherwise strictly confined to the capoeira context, to a universal level. The berimbau, a Brazilian one-stringed instrument of African origin, is the main instrument of capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that also incorporates elements of dance and music. Having played in the shadows for other artists such as Milton Nascimento, Gato Barbieri or Som Imaginario, Naná is here finally in the spotlight. Recorded in 1973 in France for Pierre Barouh's Saravah label, this is the album that definitely imprinted Naná's name in the international scene, on his track to becoming one of the best percussionists of all times.