Ritmexolá

Name: Ritmexolá
SKU: MCD-RITMELOXA
Price: 12.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$12.00 USD

Pay respect to the Orixás of candomblé with this upbeat, afro jazz style album from Salvador, Brazil.

A collaboration between Brazilian percussionist and alabé Bira Santos and Welsh saxophonist and musical researcher Jochen Eisentraut, this album commands attention.

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SKU: MCD-RITMELOXA Category: Music

Ritmeloxá, with its afro jazz stylings, is a tribute to the Orixás, or dieties, of candomblé.

Even the album name itself is a homage. The album was given the name Ritmeloxá by co-collaborator Jochen Eisentraut when he combined the Portuguese word for rhythms, ritmos, with the name of the Orixá of peace, Oxalá.

This collaboration between Welsh saxophonist Jochen Eisentraut and Brazilian percussionist Bira Santos came together when Jochen visited Salvador as part of an exchange program to discover the unique candomblé rhythms of the region. His studies with Bira led to a collaboration that resulted in a show and album.

Song list

Afro Jazz (3:11)
Oxum (5:30)
Engenho Gaza (6:19)
Oxossi (4:18)
Y Dwr Glan (Aguas Claras) (2:41)
Sete (4:40)
Puxando de Rede (4:55)
Bata (3:24)

Total runtime: 34:58

All songs are either from the public domain or are original compositions of Bira’s. All arrangements are by Bira and Jochen.

Musicians & Instruments

Bira Santos: atabaque, conga, berimbau, agogô
Jochen Eisentraut: saxophone
Vanderson Baobá: moringa

Credits

Musical direction: Bira Santos & Jochen Eisentraut
Cover design: Nel Povey
Cover photo: Padmapani Patanasiri
Recording location: Sobrasa Estudio

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Bira Santos grew up in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil in the religious tradition of candomblé. His mother was a high priestess (Mãe de Santo) in the religion and he himself was initiated into the religion more than 20 years ago. He is currently the head musician, or Alabé, at his candomblé house, Ilê Axé Omim J’Oba. As alabé he is responsible for knowing all of the rhythms and music, caring for the instruments, and plays a leading role in all ceremonies. It is a title of respect and signifies deep experience and authority.

In addition to his many duties as an alabé, Bira is the Director of Music at the Diaspora Art Center and has a regular teaching schedule as a percussion instructor, teaching both private and group classes and workshops as well as classes online.

He also a composing and performing musician — having composed the music for a number of documentaries and CDs and regularly plays shows with his band, Afro Mestiço, and other bands.