I fell in love with Samba music the first time I listened to its electrifying rhythm and the oomph of the drums. Having learned to dance with Romero de Mangueira, the great Samba dancer from Rio de Janeiro, I continued my explorations through university studies, carnivals and extended trips to Brazil, where I have been lucky enough to parade through Rio’s Sambodrome. These are my favourite samba tracks to dance to.
1. Cartola - O Sol Nascerá
Singing about the need for a positive outlook, despite the struggles of life, the samba master, poet, and songwriter Cartola, was one of the found fathers of Mangueira school of Samba.
2. Meu Lugar – Arlindo Cruz
In a much-loved song, Arlindo Cruz, one of the greatest modern poets of Samba, describes his neighbourhood and home. Everyday life in the community, memories, hopes and dreams, tradition and respect for his roots and African heritage, are all there.
3. Oba, Lá vem ela – Jorge Ben
Jorge Ben is secretly in love and sings the excitement of seeing her passing by! A light and colourful song, likes most of the songs of one of the most successful modern songwriters in Brazil.
4. Sonho Meu – Dona Ivone Lara
The First Lady, or the Diva of Samba, sends her dream to fetch her loved one in this melodic song, sang later by Maria Bethania.
5. Canto das Três Racas – Clara Nunes
Nunes sings how the Indigenous, African and Portuguese people intertwined and through an interchange of war and peace, were unified under the painful history of the Brazilian Nation. Nunes, has left a legacy singing about the power of Orishas and Rolling Stone Magazine named her one of the most powerful voices of Brazil.
6. Samba da Benção – Vinicius de Moraes
A great poet, diplomat and songwriter and one of the found fathers of Bossa Nova, Vinicius in this song recognizes the African culture’s powerful influence on Brazil and credits all preceding songwriters, while asking them for their blessing. This song is one of his greatest afro-sambas.
7. Carinhoso – Pixinguinha
Another Brazilian classic about love and longing! Brazilian people selected “Carinhoso” as the most recognizable song of Brazil. Pixinguina is considered to be one of the greatest Brazilian songwriters of all times.
8. Atrás da Verde e Rosa só não vai quem já morreu – Mangueira
One of the most loved carnival songs (Samba Enredo) of Mangueira School of Samba, released in 1994. It is a hymn to its origins, and pays homage to the Tropicalista movement and its founder musicians Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa, and Maria Bethânia.
9. Trem das Onze – Demonios da Garoa
A party- classic, and a well known traditional Samba from São Paulo. It speaks about the drama of the young romance; How can they spend the night together when they live so far away in the vast city of São Paulo?
10. Não deixe o Samba Morrer - Alcione.
Sang by one of the most successful female Samba singers, this is a Samba anthem for all Sambistas. It speaks about the place it holds in people’s hearts and it urges to never allow Samba to perish. Samba will live forever!
Foteini Foteinaki is Samba dancer and an Arts teacher with a Masters Degree in Arts in Education by the Institute of Education in London, and currently lives in Paris where she is a passista for Aquarela de Paris samba band.
