US Blacks

US Blacks formed in Rio de Janeiro in the late 1970s with Angelo Pastorello on bass, Ruy Barata on drums, and Sergio Dias handling vocals and guitar. Their music pulled from samba, rock, and punk, but never settled neatly into any one style. The track 'Caras Muito Doidos' from 1984 gives a good sense of their approach, experimental, rhythmically sharp, and lyrically direct.

Their live shows were known for being provocative, sometimes involving nudity and political statements, which drew both fans and critics. The band faced censorship and government harassment during their active years, partly because their lyrics often touched on social inequality and political dissent. They released albums like 'Piso Frio' in 1986 and 'Suco de Fruta' in 1992, maintaining a consistent output through the '80s and early '90s.

Pastorello's bass lines provided a melodic foundation, Barata's drumming drove the unconventional rhythms, and Dias wrote the socially conscious lyrics that defined much of their work. Songs like 'Jogo de Sedução' and 'Melô D'Usblacks' show how they could be both playful and pointed within the same set. They stopped releasing new material after the mid-'90s, but their records, especially 'Caras Muito Doidos,' still find listeners who appreciate their particular blend of energy and commentary.