Nação Zumbi

RÁDIO S.AMB.A

(Stern's Brasil)

The late Brazilian singer Chico Science was one of the most innovative pop musicians of the '90s. When he died in a car accident, in 1997, he and his band Nação Zumbi had recorded just two albums, but their blend of northeastern Brazilian folklore, R&B, hip-hop, and heavy metal had inspired a musical movement called mangue beat. Now the band have pulled together their first post-Science release, and it's reassuring. These 17 short tracks run the gamut from roaring speed metal beefed up by thundering surdo drums to dreamy space rumba with languorously chiming guitar and laconic vocals. Pixel 3000 assumes Science's role as lead vocalist, and though he lacks the founder's charisma, he gets the right range of growly chanting, feverishly rebellious rap, and off-kilter tunefulness. The set emphasizes the band's gift for melding diverse elements within killer grooves. Traces of forró (northeastern Brazil's folksy drinking music), slow samba, old R&B, and even '50s teenybopper pop filter through the mix of electronica and percussion. Only one song, "Na Balada do Rio Salgado," achieves the raging, roaring intensity of the original line-up's most sensational material, but Rádio S.amb.a assures Nação Zumbi their rightful place in the musical movement they pioneered.

-- Banning Eyre