A Música Do Olodum

In the dictionary, “sublime” means “superlatively beautiful.” This is the first thing I think of every time I listen to Olodum, a samba-reggae band from Bahia’s Salvador whose work is very well represented by “A Música do Olodum.” Also a group considered part of the intangible cultural heritage of Bahia, Olodum and samba-reggae are so intertwined that the band really seems to be the personification of the genre - a magnificent fusion of samba de roda from Bahia, Jamaican reggae music, and other Afro-Brazilian music elements. Beyond the wonders the samba-reggae arrangements cause in the bodies and minds of listeners, Olodum’s music is an extremely politicized one, denouncing racism and inequalities, but also praising union movements, literature, and the Rastafari philosophy. Paying tribute to different civilizations is also an Olodum trademark, and in “A Música do Olodum,” they honor India with “Mahatma Olodum”, a track that incorporates the Indian zither into the samba-reggae sound. The track “Samba Reggae” follows a similar line as it brings some salsa music traces and Spanish-language verses. As for the album’s classics, “Nossa Gente,” “Deusa do Amor,” and “Vem Meu Amor” are a treat to dance lovers.