BALJOS

BALJOS formed in Salvador, Brazil in 1984 with Rimando on vocals, Pitimba on bass, and Marcos Lobo on drums. They started playing reggae when that sound wasn't yet widespread in Brazil, working through early financial struggles while building a local following. Their 1990 album 'Skankaia' included 'Saideira (Dedicada Ao Skank),' which became one of their best-known tracks and helped them reach a national audience.

Their songs often touched on social and political themes, which sometimes drew criticism but also connected them to listeners who shared those concerns. They recorded with guitarist Luiz Caldas on 'Saideira,' and their catalog includes albums like 'Reggae/Ragga Brasil' from 1994 and 'Mundo de Paz' from 2002. Other songs like 'Andrea Dorea (Ao Legião Urbana)' and 'Flores Nas Pedras' show their range within Brazilian reggae.

The band has kept a fairly stable lineup over time, with Rimando, Pitimba, and Marcos Lobo remaining core members alongside keyboardist Fábio Bahia and percussionist Jajá. They've played benefit concerts and supported community causes in Salvador, though their main focus has always been the music itself rather than any particular activism.