Description
Rooted in northeastern Brazil, pífano master João do Pife has two dancefloor favorites selected for this 7-inch release. The original was released in 1975 on Folclore Alagoano (Tropicana), a highly regarded album among collectors.
The pífano, which leads the melodies, is a simple woodwind flute made from bamboo or taquara wood and is the signature instrument of the northeastern region's folk music, where it is played alongside percussion. João do Pife (born João Bibi dos Santos) learned the pífano from his father as a child and later moved to São Paulo. He continued to play between jobs, appeared on radio and television, and recorded compact discs in the 1960s. He produced 10 LPs under his own name and also participated in recordings by other artists, making a major contribution to the popularization of pífano music.
The track "Garoto Do Pife" is a classic played by renowned DJs such as Gilles Peterson. Bouncy percussion, cheerful accordion, and light organ intertwine as the pífano melody creates an instant sense of exhilaration. The following track, "Homenagem A Ludugero," is also a powerful piece that combines local folk elements with danceability, possessing a simple yet deeply moving drive.
This release allows you to experience João do Pife's legacy, with the depth of folklore and festive energy sounding together. The vibrant sound, as if capturing the very atmosphere of northeastern Brazil, will naturally get you moving.
A1. Garoto Do Pife
B1. Homenagem A Ludugero
Presenting a joyous double dose of Brazilian pífano magic by João do Pife, taken from his iconic Folclore Alagoano LP and pressed for the first time on 7” vinyl. The infectious, uplifting energy of the instrumental track 'Garoto Do Pife' has been a dancefloor weapon for revered selectors such as Gilles Peterson, Cliffy and the Mr Bongo DJs, and we are proud to be reissuing it for the first time.
The pífano, pifaro or pife, which creates the distinctive melodies in these tracks, is a simple seven-hole woodwind instrument from the Northeast region of Brazil. Often made out of bamboo or taquara wood, they are rich in folkloric music tradition and paired with percussion instruments to form the Bandas de Pífanos groups, which originated from the Northeastern states of the country. "Pifeiros” such as João do Pife, Edmilson do Pífano, and Carlos Malta brought the pífano into a wider public eye through their albums and vinyl recordings.
A part of pífano maestro João do Pife’s rich legacy, these two mesmerizing and timeless tracks originate from his sought-after 1975 LP Folclore Alagoano, released on the Tropicana label.
A part of pífano maestro João do Pife’s rich legacy, these two mesmerizing and timeless tracks originate from his sought-after 1975 LP Folclore Alagoano, released on the Tropicana label. Born João Bibi dos Santos, in the state of Alagoas (Brazil), he learned to play the “pife” with his father at a young age in Arapiraca, the city where he lived as a child. As a young man, he moved to São Paulo in the late 1940s searching for a better life. He worked as a bricklayer, alongside other jobs but never stopped playing his pife. He went on to perform on the radio, TV programmes and in the early '60s recorded his first compacto. He recorded two compactos and ten LPs as a solo artist, besides recording the pife on other artists’ albums. Sadly, in the 1980s, his fame began to wane, and by the 1990s he was almost completely forgotten.
Fast forward to the present day, and due to a renewed interest in his music among collectors, DJs and music lovers, his legacy lives on. For this 7" issue, we have curated two of our favourite tracks from the album, 'Garoto Do Pife' and 'Homenagem a Ludugero', that exude a driving and joyous dancefloor energy. With lively accordion and organ accompaniments that weave around João do Pife's sublime pífano playing, they channel a folk spirit that will resonate deep within your soul.
As inspiration for the picture sleeve, we have adapted the original cover photo art for this 7 inch issue. João do Pife’s music, which is housed within, will sweep you away to Northeastern Brazil in an instant.
