The sound originated in the late 80s when local musicians started experimenting with traditional drum beat samples and Caribbean sounds such as Soca to create a unique style known as Batida. The Caribbean elements came from the links between Africa and the region forged after the slave trade; a common theme throughout many of the sounds we will look at in this series. (Tune in next time for an anthropological look at the global ghettotech phenomenon).

Hard Ass

Back to Kuduro though, as more local DJs and MCs started mixing up these sounds, reports say it took one man, Tony Amado, to add the western techno edge and christen this hybrid Kuduro, which literally means 'hard ass' in Portuguese. He is also credited with inventing the accompanying dance, which like a lot of moves found in environments like this, is very intense, sexual and fast paced, with a lot of head stands, flips and my favourite, the rigid fall over (see video below).

A couple of years ago Kuduro was heralded as the new Baile Funk but it never really reached that point of immersion. This may have been down to the poor distribution of the sound to world audiences without big labels to back it. The hectic pace of the music didn’t help to broaden its appeal either, averaging at about 140bpm it’s not for the faint hearted.

It is easy to draw comparisons between Baile and Kuduro though, both stem from former Portuguese colonies (two fine examples of Po-Co House) both have gained massive worldwide cred over the last few years (with thanks to MIA and Mad Decent) and both are a catchy mix of local elements and outside electronic influences. To go even further both took the very percussive beats so popular at the local carnivals, or Bailes, mixed them with uptempo house/techno beats and added the obligatory hectic social commentary to create a heady blend of sounds to sum up the feelings of the young in their respective favellas. Some of these sounds can alienate western audiences but there are Kuduro artists attempting to bridge the gap.

Buraka Som Sistema

Enter Buraka Som Sistema, whose debut album has just been released to much critical acclaim. The group come from Portugal which as a former colonist is home to many African immigrants who brought the sounds of home with them on their journey making the superbs of Lisbon a hot bed of Kudoro creativity.

Being in Europe they also are perfectly positioned to push the sound to new audiences by tyeing it in to other current sounds like Dubstep and Grime both of which have influenced the new album. Some people might complain about Buraka stealing the thunder of local Angolan artists but the more people who get to hear the sound the better it’ll be for the scene as a whole. Kuduro never reached that 'new Baile' proclamation, so hopefully with a bit of backing by crossover artists like Buraka (backed up Mad Decent) it can take the next step forward and open up the same opportunities many local Brazilian DJs have been afforded since Baile went mainstream.

If you want to hear more Kuduro music check out Shortie's post on the Mr Jones blog.

Buraka play in the Twisted Pepper on Thursday December 11th.