Action Lekking
Negro Leo
2017
Why This Album Matters
Action Lekking, released in 2017, is a milestone in Negro Leo's discography and in contemporary Brazilian music, solidifying his position as one of the most unique and challenging artists on the scene. The album is an audacious fusion of indie pop, indie rock, MPB, experimentalism, free jazz, no-wave, African noise tropicalia and floating psychedelia, creating a sound that transcends easy categorisations. Negro Leo coined terms such as 'solt music, anarcogospel, correria e vagabundagem relek' to describe the work's essence, where 'solt music' evokes joy, groove and dance, and 'anarcogospel' represents a mystical and revolutionary force of masterless delirium. 'Lek culture', inspired by the impoverished youth of Rio de Janeiro who resist with pride and joy, permeates the album's concept, transforming sonic experimentation into a social and cultural declaration. The work stands out for its ability to celebrate Brazil's 'disorder and rough edges', using music as a playful refutation of the restrictions that mark the lives of marginalised people. It is an album that invites the listener into a universe of broken rhythms, unexpected turns and jazzy delusions, all wrapped up in sophisticated production that explores vintage equipment and innovative vocal techniques.
Context
Before Action Lekking, Negro Leo had already built a prolific trajectory in Brazilian experimental music, this being his seventh album. His art is deeply influenced by free jazz, new wave and Tropicália, with its blend of psychedelia, bossa nova and anarchic parody. The artist, whose stage name also carries political weight by reclaiming the word 'negro' in a country with strong racial awareness, has always aligned his art with oppressed people. In 2017, the album's release year, Brazil was experiencing a period of political and social uncertainties, especially in the post-coup era, and Action Lekking reflects this search for a new direction and the critique of the elites and Brazil's slave-owning society.
Recording
Action Lekking was recorded in just three days at Red Bull Studios São Paulo, a space known for fostering musical experimentation and production. Album production was a collaboration between Negro Leo, Sérgio Machado (who also played drums and synthesisers) and Fábio Sá (bass), considered largely responsible for the album's sound. The co-production by Eduardo Manso, Pepê Monnerat and Renato Godoy was crucial in balancing the valve-driven sounds of the 60s with Negro Leo's unique procedures in composing his songs. The team used a variety of vintage equipment, including vocoders, SPX, PCM 70 and Pultech, which contributed to the continuous rhythm breaks, turns and jazzy delusions that characterise the work.
Songs
The album features ten songs, with eight composed by Negro Leo, one by Bruno Schiavo, entitled "Revirá", and another, "O pato vai ao BRICS", the result of a partnership between Leo and Jefferson Plácido. Negro Leo's lyrics address delirious everyday imagery and pressing social issues. In tracks such as "Mulato", he counters the belief in a racially democratic Brazil, arguing that the country's central problem is slavery. "Action Lekking A" and "Não Vai Acabar" exemplify the album's vibrant sound and political content. The album explores themes such as the search for pleasure and grace, without detriment to joy, what Negro Leo calls the 'Lek way of being'. The song "Fera Mastigada" is described as one of the album's most incredible, optimistic and hopeful songs, with images of a ubiquitous ancestor and an ordinary astronaut, filled with affection without being sentimental.
Legacy
Action Lekking was acclaimed by critics, featuring on important national and international lists, such as The List and Chicago Reader. The album was nominated for the APCA award for best album, consolidating its recognition within the music scene. Its reception highlights Negro Leo's ability to build a bridge between experimentation and Brazilian pop culture, exploring sounds ranging from rock to jazz, pop to electronic music. The album's influence lies in its fearless approach to genre fusion and the exploration of complex social themes through an innovative musical language. By celebrating 'lek culture' and challenging conventional notions of identity and society, Action Lekking inspired other artists to embrace boldness in their own creations, reaffirming music's role as a mirror and engine of social transformation.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Eduardo Manso, Pedro Paulo Monnerat, Renato Godoy
Bernardo Oliveira, Luan Ferreira
Negro Leo
Negro Leo
Fábio Sá
Sérgio Machado
Negro Leo
Pedro Paulo Monnerat
Rodrigo Costa
Alejandra Luciani
Gabriel Secchin
Lucas Pires
Analyses
Negro Leo - Action Lekking - Monkeybuzz
monkeybuzz.com.br
E quem melhor para explicar o que é Action Lekking do que o próprio Negro Leo? Em um recente texto ele diz que a verdadeira música de vanguarda no Brasil é ouvida pelo "povão", enquanto a classe média escuta o de sempre.
Faixa a faixa: Negro Leo - "Action Lekking" | Red Bull
redbull.com
Ouça o álbum completo e confira mais abaixo de onde surgiram as ideias de Negro Leo para cada uma das faixas de "Action Lekking".
Hourpress: Negro Leo lança Action Lekking, novo disco gravado no Red ...
hourpress.blogspot.com
Durante menos de uma semana no final de julho, Negro Leo se isolou noRed Bull Studio São Paulopara gravar, numa tacada só, seu sétimo álbum, que sucede "Água Batizada", de 2016 e foi batizado de "Action Lekking".
Negro Leo lança Action Lekking, novo disco gravado no Red Bull Studio
portalsplishsplash.com
O disco foi lançado pela internet nesta segunda-feira, 11/9 (pode ser ouvido via Bandcamp e YouTube), e estará disponível em plataformas digitais a partir de 24/9. Em outubro, "Action Lekking" chega às lojas físicas.
Negro Leo lança Action Lekking, novo disco gravado no Red Bull Studio
noticiario-periferico.com
O disco foi lançado pela internet nesta segunda-feira, 11/9 (pode ser ouvido via Bandcamp e YouTube), e estará disponível em plataformas digitais a partir de 24/9.
Discogs
Action Lekking – Discogs
discogs.com