Instrumentália

Instrumentália was a Brazilian group that formed in the late 1960s around Jorge Ben Jor, Toquinho, and Mauricy Moura. Their sound mixed samba and jazz with some African rhythms, and they put out a string of albums through the 1970s, starting with their self-titled debut in 1970.

In 1972 they released "Shalala da Li," which caught on internationally. The song's upbeat melody and simple, positive lyrics made it a hit far beyond Brazil. Other tracks like "Baião Atômico" and "Blues Sem Blusa" show the same light, rhythmic feel.

Some critics at the time felt the group was watering down Brazilian music for a global audience, but their records kept selling. They stayed active through most of the decade, with albums like O Bicho e a Flor in 1972 and O Som Brasileiro in 1976.