Marku
Marku Ribas
1973
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Marku, released in 1973, is a unique album that solidifies the innovative musical proposition of Marku Ribas, an artist who challenged categorisations and enriched Brazilian music with his multicultural vision. The album stands out for a pioneering fusion of rhythms, incorporating Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian, and Afro-American elements, creating a sound that transcends geographical and stylistic boundaries. This solo debut work by Marku Ribas is a testament to his creative freedom and his ability to integrate samba, funk, soul, Latin jazz, and other genres into a vibrant and complex sonic tapestry. Ribas's exuberant musicality and charismatic presence are evident in every track, revealing an artist ahead of his time, who blazed trails for polyrhythm and experimentation. It is a work that captivates with its originality and the depth of its references, offering a rich and multifaceted listening experience.
Context
The album Marku was recorded between 1972 and 1973, during a period when Marku Ribas was on holiday in Brazil, following significant experiences abroad. Before this solo release, Marku had already undergone notable musical transformations, influenced by his time with the group Batuki in France (1968 to 1970) and, subsequently, in the Caribbean (1971 to 1975). This context of cultural exchange and rhythmic research positioned him as a musician with an expanded perspective on the African diaspora and its sonic manifestations. The effervescence of Brazilian soul, which was gaining strength during the military dictatorship, also served as a backdrop for the emergence of artists like Marku, who, alongside other pioneers like Jorge Ben and Wilson Simonal, paved the way for a new sound.
Recording
Marku was recorded in 1972 and released the following year, 1973, by the Copacabana + Underground label. The recording took place at Estúdios Reunidos, with sound engineering by Milton Rodrigues. Artistic direction was handled by Cesare Benvenuti, with musical supervision by Leo Peracchi, while the arrangements were credited to the renowned Erlon Chaves. Marku Ribas was responsible for vocals, acoustic guitar, and percussion on the album, demonstrating his multifaceted talent. Although many talented instrumentalists participated, several of them were not credited in the original recordings.
Songs
The album features ten tracks, all composed by Marku Ribas, with the exception of folk adaptations. Among the highlights, the song "Zamba Ben" is particularly notable, being one of the biggest classics of 1970s dance parties and considered a samba-rock anthem. Other notable tracks include "5,30 Schoelcher", "O Adeus, Segundo Maria", "N'Biri, N'Biri" (adapted from Angolan folklore), and "Pacutiguibê Iaô". The album's sound is enriched by the participation of legendary Brazilian jazz musicians, such as Wilson das Neves and Pascoal Meirelles on drums, Tenorio Jr. on keyboards, and João Donato, who contributed piano and orchestral arrangements. MPB diva Miúcha also lent her voice in harmonies on several songs, adding another layer of sophistication to the work. Marku's lyrics and compositions explore diverse themes, permeated by the influence of the African diaspora and the celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture.
Legacy
Marku solidified Marku Ribas's reputation as one of the most inventive artists in Brazilian music. The song "Zamba Ben" not only became a cult classic at 1970s dance parties, but was also widely sampled by DJs and re-recorded by various bands, attesting to its lasting impact. The album is recognised as one of the most unique and profoundly 'funky' works of its style, blending Brazilian soul with funk-rock and Nuyorican salsa influences. Critical reception over time has been largely positive, with the album receiving an average of 4.57 out of 5 stars in user ratings on Discogs, and an average of 76 out of 100 for its tracks on BestEverAlbums.com. Contemporary artists such as Ed Motta are declared fans of Marku Ribas, and Motta even released a compilation of his compositions, entitled Zamba Ben. Marku's inclusion among the 100 best Brazilian music albums reflects its unquestionable artistic value and cultural relevance.
Tracks
Credits
Geraldo Barbosa
João Donato
Marku
Paulo Rocco
Marku
Ana Maria, Georgiana De Moraes, João Donato, Marku, Miucha
Marku
Conjunto Nosso Samba
Aurino Ferreira
Luizão Maia
Marku
Hermes Contesini
Pascoal Meirelles
João Donato
Marku, Wilson das Neves
Ariovaldo Contesini, Hermes Contesini, Marku
Wilson das Neves
Ariovaldo Contesini, Marku, Wilson das Neves
Aladim, Mamão, Pascoal Meirelles, Wilson das Neves
João Donato, Tenorio Jr.
Tenorio Jr.
Copinha, Jayme Araújo, Jorge Ferreira Da Silva, Oberdan Magalhães
Marku
Chiquito
Marku
Talmo Scaranari
João Donato, Tenorio Jr.
Geraldo Bongô
Luizinho, Macaé, Zé Bodega
Adilson, João Donato
Marku
Edmundo Maciel, Gesse, Manoel Araújo
Manoel Araújo
Barreto, Carlos Darci, Niltinho
Marku
Marku
Don Lewis, Luigi Hoffer, Luiz Da Urca
Brás, Paulinho Chocolate
Vitor Farias
Adilson, Antonio Jose Castilho, Roberto Do Monte
Garrafa
Pedro Lopes
Oswaldo Micheloni
Podcasts
QUER QUE EU RESENHE? · André Marx
Em sua volta ao canal, André Marx fala sobre o grande e genial Marku Ribas, e resenha o essencial discaço "Marku" (também conhecido como "Underground", no vídeo ele explica o porquê), de 1973. Sejam bem-vind@s ao Canal/Podcast QUER QUE EU RESENHE? e esperamos que vocês gostem.
Videos
Marku Ribas - Marku (a.k.a. Underground) (1973) | ALBUM REVIEW
QUER QUE EU RESENHE?
Gremlin Markus reviews Godzilla vs Megalon (Another Remake)
Baleigh Cravens
Books
Analyses
Armazém Geral: Marku Ribas
arzengeral.blogspot.com
Underground: Marku Ribas's essential album, released in 1973, with arrangements by maestro Erlon Chaves, features musical gems such as the wonderful "5,30 Schoelcher", impeccable sound and memorable lyrics: "sunbeams enter my mind, illuminating my heart / and my contented spirit shows me the direction of the sea", "N' Biri N ...
Marku Ribas - Marku (a.k.a. Underground) (1973) | ALBUM REVIEW
ivoox.com
Back on the channel, André Marx talks about the great and brilliant Marku Ribas, and reviews the essential masterpiece "Marku" (also known as "Underground", in the video he explains why), from 1973.
Marku Ribas - Marku (1973) | Toque Musical
toque-musicall.com
He managed to make the album just as he wanted. Here, the main highlight is the track "Zamba Ben", a song that gains more admiration with each new decade, incredibly current! This album, like the artist's entire discography, resurfaced largely thanks to promotional work on specialised blogs and websites.
Marku Ribas - Underground (1973) | A Cena Agitos Culturais
cwblacks.wordpress.com
Marco Antonio Ribas (Marku Ribas): born in Pirapora on 19 May 1947, he was a singer, songwriter and percussionist, encompassing various styles such as Soul, Samba, Samba Rock, Jazz, Funk, Reisado, Batuque and African rhythms.
MUSICA&SOM: Marku Ribas - Underground - 1973
tabernanovostempos.blogspot.com
Marco Antonio Ribas (Marku Ribas): born in Pirapora on 19 May 1947, he was a singer, songwriter and percussionist, encompassing various styles such as Soul, Samba, Samba Rock, Jazz, Funk, Reisado, Batuque and African rhythms.
