It’s not often you get to hear about a ‘new’ artist on the London global beats scene who’s already stocked up a back catalogue of eight previous albums but that’s what’s happening with Marcelo Frota aka MOMO. From the dark-folk /Tropicalia fusion of his stark debut ‘A Estética do Rabisco’ in 2006 to his electronica blended bossa songs on 2019’s ‘I Was Told To Be Quiet’, MOMO’s music has simmered gently, an anchor for wherever he’s found himself.
And Frota has certainly been a traveller. From his Rio roots, he’s spent a lifetime shifting between the US and Spain, Angola and Portugal before pausing for the last three years in London town. Taking the time to absorb the city’s eclectic creative vibe and make new connections has now paid off with the recording of a new album ‘Gira’, due be released via Batov Records in October. As MOMO observes “Life brought me to London and I think I’ve made my lightest album; it could only have been created here.“
Working with various buddies from the nu-jazz/ fusion scene(including Alabaster de Plume, Francesca Ter-Berg (of Fran and Flora), brass players Rosie Turton and Tamar Osborn, Penya’s percussionist Magnus Mehta, latin pianist extraordinaire Carwyn Ellis and drummer Nick Woodmansey), plus recorded live at the Total Refreshment Centre, ‘Gira’ promises to be a groove-facing journey.
Preview track ‘Jão’ certainly points in that direction, a song that shimmies, hustles and stomps with an infectious energy. All the elements are perfect for a fast and fluid samba moment: the urgent percussive hiss; the sharp, incisive snare whack; the snappy horn shouts and bassist Caetano Malta’s tantalising bass-line pause. The tune is kept hovering by some warm and wobbly key chords from Jessica Lauren while MOMO’s scatting “Bada Bap” hook adds that final spark. ‘Jão’ is a bona fide foot warmer.
Pre-order your copy of ‘Gira‘ by MOMO from your local Record store or direct from Batov Records HERE
