Grupo Boleadeira

Grupo Boleadeira formed in São Paulo in the late 1990s, started by Jaime Alem and Ricardo Rosa. Their music draws from Brazilian traditions like samba and bossa nova, with Alem's vocals and intricate guitar work giving it a particular character. They've released five albums, beginning with their self-titled debut in 2000 and continuing through records like 'Desterro' in 2003 and 'Valsa dos Esquecidos' in 2014.

Their song 'Meu Canto' became something of an anthem for listeners. In 2005, the track 'O Menino' drew criticism from some religious groups for its subject matter, but the band stood by it. They've worked with musicians like André Abujamra on bass and Marcelo Costa on drums.

Their sound has kept a certain melancholic quality across those albums, even as they've explored different arrangements. They haven't chased commercial formulas, which has sometimes put them at odds with traditionalists, but they've maintained a steady presence in Brazilian music circles.