KEY POINTS:
There's a guy from Sao Paulo, Brazil, on stage and he's plucking, hitting and playing his body like an instrument. He pops his mouth, smacks himself and releases low vibrating noises from the depths of his ample tummy - like a prolonged yet polite burp.
The man in
question is cuddly looking body percussionist Marcelo Pretto from Brazilian group Barbatuques, who specialise in body noises.
Pretto is one of the many collaborators on the OE: Brazil album, a musical project that took six New Zealand musicians - singer/songwriter Hollie Smith, Black Seeds' front man Barnaby Weir, Wellington producer Maaka Phat, Shapeshifter singer/MC P Digsss, producer Recloose, and Wellington-based Brazilian singer Alda Rezende - to Sao Paulo for three weeks earlier this year to record with more than 70 Brazilians.
Now, Pretto, with fellow countrymen Edu Peixe (drums) and Marco Mattoli (guitar), from samba rock band Clube Do Balanco, are in New Zealand to help out the Kiwis with the live version of the project, which was put together by Loop Recordings and Bacardi.
While the sashaying Brazilian samba vibe is the one constant on Friday night, with so many musicians and musical styles going head-to-head it's a concert of contrasts.
One minute there's Hollie Smith wooing us with the smooth jazz of Sampa Soul; then there's boppy arse rattler, Embrace This Place, courtesy of Recloose and local singer/MC Tyna; on to Rezende's more traditional Samba Hurricane; and next P Digsss - a big, booming and cheery presence - rolling out some slick drum'n'bass on Sunshine.
Barnaby Weir's Doin It For Brasil, with Clube Do Balanco, was the first single off the album and is a highlight. He knows how to write a summertime anthem, that lad.
As a support act, Adi Dick, with just his tranquil voice and guitar, was captivating and an ideal contrast to the all-in stage-filling Brazil collective.
The pacing of the show needed tweaking and the rollover of acts could have been more seamless but these are minor quibbles. The crowd were gagging for it.
It's a grand achievement getting this number of musicians together and moulding many musical styles into a cohesive whole, despite cultural and language barriers.
The music of OE: Brazil is accessible but the punt these musicians and organisers took to do this project is downright dangerous and that's something much of today's music lacks. They pulled it off and they're already talking about next year.
If this show was anything to go by, long may the project live.
