Maskavo Roots
Maskavo
1994
Why This Album Matters
The album Maskavo Roots, released in 1995, marks the phonographic debut of one of the most emblematic bands in Brazilian reggae. As an album eponymous with the group's original name from Brasília, it not only introduced Maskavo to the country but also solidified its place in an effervescent musical scene that saw national rock and reggae gaining strength in the mid-90s. With a sound that blended Jamaican reggae with the vitality of Brasília's rock, the album stood out for the authenticity and energy of its compositions. Produced by names like Carlos Eduardo Miranda and Nando Reis, Maskavo Roots carried the promise of a fresh and captivating sound, which quickly won over listeners and critics, establishing the foundations for the band's long trajectory of success.
Context
The genesis of Maskavo Roots dates back to 1993, in Brasília, a city that served as a cradle for a profusion of musical talents in the early 90s. The band emerged from a previous group, O Cravo Rastafari, which already celebrated Bob Marley in its covers, indicating a natural inclination towards reggae. The federal capital was a creative melting pot, with bands like Raimundos, Little Quail and The Mad Birds, and D.F.C. emerging, creating an environment conducive to new sounds. This effervescence caught the attention of the Banguela Records label, an initiative by Carlos Eduardo Miranda and Titãs, who were seeking new talents. The label's interest was crucial for Maskavo Roots, propelling the band from Brasília onto the national scene at a time of intense Brazilian musical renewal, where rock and reggae merged and reinvented themselves, as seen in contemporaries like O Rappa, Planet Hemp, and Nação Zumbi.
Recording
The preparation for Maskavo Roots was an immersive and collaborative process, with the band gathering at bassist Ricardo Marrara's grandmother's chácara, amidst the picturesque and bucolic cerrado of Brasília, to develop the arrangements for the 14 tracks that would make up the album. This unique atmosphere contributed to the album's sonic identity. The fifteenth track, "D.D.P.", was an addition directly from the group's first demo. The recordings themselves took place in October 1994, at BepBop studio in São Paulo, under the direction of Carlos Eduardo Miranda and Nando Reis, two influential figures in Brazilian music production. The recording environment was marked by notable and enjoyable moments, including the participation of Branco Mello and Sérgio Britto (Titãs) on backing vocals for "D.D.P.", and the loan of instruments by other Titãs members, such as Charles Gavin, Marcelo Fromer, Paulo Miklos, and Tony Bellotto. Sound engineering was handled by Beto Machado, who would go on to collaborate with the band on three more albums, consolidating a fundamental partnership.
Songs
The album Maskavo Roots introduced the public to songs that would become classics of the band and national reggae. Notable tracks include "Tempestade", which gained a music video filmed in a wave pool in Brasília and broadcast by MTV Brasil, quickly becoming a hit and one of the group's best-known songs. Another relevant song, "Escotilha", was selected for the soundtrack of the first season of Rede Globo's popular series "Malhação", ensuring wide visibility and consolidating Maskavo's presence in the popular imagination. The compositions, although rooted in reggae, demonstrated lyrical and melodic versatility, capturing the band's characteristic energy and lightness. Songs like "Quinta" and "Besta-Mole", present on previous demos, were reworked and given a more robust production on the album, contributing to the cohesion of a work that balanced contagious rhythms with optimistic and reflective messages, elements that would become Maskavo's trademarks.
Legacy
Released in 1995, Maskavo Roots not only introduced the band to the national scene but also consolidated their position as one of the prominent names in Brazilian reggae of the decade. Its arrival coincided with the last year in which phonographic materials were still pressed on vinyl, marking a period of transition in the industry. The album and, in particular, the music video for "Tempestade", which received the "Sim" stamp from MTV Brasil, were crucial for the band's initial exposure. The opening performance for Jorge Ben Jor at Ginásio do Ibirapuera, broadcast live by MTV Brasil, underscored the group's relevance and potential. The inclusion of the track "Escotilha" on the soundtrack of "Malhação" was also a catalyst for Maskavo's popularity, reaching a young audience nationwide. Although the text does not specify sales figures or chart positions, the cultural impact and the platform this album provided were undeniable, serving as a springboard for a long career, with over one thousand five hundred shows, ten albums, and two DVDs recorded, solidifying Maskavo's legacy as a pillar of national reggae.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Carlos Eduardo Miranda, Titãs
Cesar Gavin
Carlos Eduardo Miranda, Nando Reis
Maskavo Roots
Marrara
Txotxa
Carlos Pinduca, Prata
Quim
Marcelo Vourakis
Joana Lewis
Beto Machado
Ricardo Garcia
Beto Machado, Carlos Eduardo Miranda, Maskavo Roots
James Müller
Eduardo de Barcellos Breves, Rogério Duarte
André Schivartche
Giulio Mosiici
Brian Butler
Renata Maia
Rui Mendes
Podcasts
Silêncio no Estúdio Podcast · Silêncio no Estúdio
Nascido na Jamaica, o Reggae é reconhecido até pela UNESCO como patrimônio cultural da humanidade. E é, realmente, um patrimônio: um gênero que nasce com uma identidade própria, muito particular e se tornou um verdadeiro símbolo da presença africana em todos os cantos do mundo. Nesse episódio, o Vinícius Cabral recebe o convidado especial Rodrigo Txotxa (ex-Maskavo Roots e Natiruts), pra jogar ess
Silêncio no Estúdio Podcast · Silêncio no Estúdio
Entrevista do Silêncio no Estúdio com Carlos Pinduca - guitarrista da formação original do Maskavo Roots, ex-Prot(o) e atualmente em projeto solo chamado RoliMan. Bate papo cheio de histórias sobre a cena de Brasília, curiosidades da carreira de um músico de banda e muito mais. Confiram, espalhem e divirtam-se. -------- Carlos Pinduca por aí: https://roliman.bandcamp.com/releases https://www.yo
Books
Analyses
Maskavo Roots – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Aumenta o Som: 20 anos de Maskavo Roots, o álbum
vitrolanews.blogspot.com
O álbum de estreia do Maskavo Roots, homônimo, completou 20 anos em março deste ano. Gravado em apenas 23 dias, no segundo semestre de 1994, o disco foi lançado pelo extinto selo Banguela e teve a produção assinada por Carlos Eduardo Miranda e Nando Reis.
Discos históricos: Maskavo Roots, do Maskavo Roots (1995)
fagnermorais.substack.com
Crítica de "Maskavo Roots" A influência do reggae é cristalina em "Chá Preto", primeira faixa do disco. Ainda que seja algo rudimentar feito, basicamente, por adolescentes sem experiência, funciona bem para mostrar como eles realmente mereciam mais sucesso.
Maskavo Roots - Maskavo Roots (1995) | cenaindie
cenaindie.com
Maskavo Roots: Reggae, Rock e Ska/Dub em um álbum vibrante. Ouça e explore a sonoridade única desta banda!
Maskavo Roots - Três Selos
tresselos.com
"Maskavo Roots" é o álbum de estreia da banda brasileira Maskavo (que na época se chamava ainda Maskavo Roots), foi lançado em 1995 pelo selo Banguela, da WEA, com produção de Miranda e Nando Reis.
Discogs
Maskavo Roots – Discogs
discogs.com