Chanel, Givenchy, La Nouvelle Vague, impressionism and existentialism, revolution and street riots, even the Statue of Liberty… A lot of great things have come out of Paris, and one of the finest Parisian exports of recent years has been a Franco-Brazilian restaurant-bar-club which has a long association with the Notting Hill Arts Club.
Gringo Da Parada (not his real name, surprise surprise) helped launch Favela Chic with Brazilian Rosane Mazzer and Jorge Nasi in Paris’s Rue Oberkampf back in 1995. Gringo Da Parada was always one of the principal DJs there, orchestrating a soundtrack that revels in Brazil’s myriad rhythms and carnival traditions – think folky forro and satin-smooth bossa novas to raw baile funk and riotous samba – while also embracing rock ’n’ roll, hip hop, punk, B-more, Britpop and quirky electronica. A place where Seu Jorge, Serge Gainsburg, the Stone Roses and the Rolling Stones all partied side by side and you heard classic grooves you’d almost forgotten you loved so much. And that’s the sort of musical kaleidoscope to get your Friday night party started (while ending the month in style) at Disorder and Progress.
A big fan of the Clash and a longtime lover of British music, Gringo Da Parada heard London calling and moved here to help found the London’s own rather wonderful Favela Chic on Great Eastern Street in Shoreditch in 2005.
He’s one of the great resident DJs there, but occasionally he ventures to the westside to renew an old acquaintance with the Notting Hill Arts Club, which regularly welcomed Favela Chic to London long before they had their own home here.
Disorder and Progress (Brazilian ex-patriots will recognize the pun on the words inscribed on their national flag: ordem e progresso) is well-named. Gringo Da Parada revels in adventurous eclecticism, inventive juxtaposition, rare and racy tunes that celebrate the wilder side of life while also moving music forward. Anything but monotonous or minimalist, it’s a rollercoaster you’ll want to jump aboard.
L’ANIMAL DU MOIS : LE TAMANOIR.
Le tamanoir vit dans l’obscurité (tapir dans l’ombre), insensible à la critique il n’a néanmoins pas sa langue dans sa poche. Bien qu’originaire d’Iran (tapir persan) il s’adapte fort bien à d’autres environnements. On le trouve ainsi aussi bien sous sa mère que dans les airs (tapir volant).
A l’inverse du kangourou il ne pratique aucun sport de combat et déteste les sports collectifs, il est par contre très habile à la belote de comptoir et redoutable au mini golf.
Si il s’alimente presque exclusivement d’insectes ce n’est pas par goût culinaire mais plutôt par obligation, il est clair qu’il préfèrerai si il avait le choix un navarin d’agneau voir une choucroute garnie arrosée d’un sancerre blanc, mais bon … you can’t always get what you want comme dit la chanson que fredonne maman tamanoir à son petit pour l’endormir (le tamanoir dort de temps en temps.)
Très individualiste le tamanoir ne participe pas aux réunions de masse. Vous ne le croiserez par exemple jamais ni à Rolland Garros ni aux défilés du 1er mai.
Son prédateur le plus redouté reste la fourmi géante (entre 6 et 8 mètres) qui venge sans pitié les milliers d’individus que consomme chaque année le tamanoir.
Sa devise, qui en dit long sur l’optimisme de sa race est : tamanoir c’est noir, il n’y a plus d’espoir …
There is no stopping Favela Chic! Having conquered their home base Paris with a funky mix of all things Brazilian - that is to say samba, hip hop, house and drum n bass - they are now dancing their way into the heart (and feet) of Londoner’s! Hosts Gringo da Parada open their record collection to give you a good insight into what it’s all about!
Gringo da Parada is a great performer, passionate about Brazilian and British pop music. He plays an ingenious mix rare Brasillian sounds, nervous Rock, groove inesperado! In short, he is Radio Favela’s historic channel.
FAVELA CHIC
“In Brazil, the Favela culture has acquired the kind of following that early hip hop got in The United States, this vibe has crossed the ocean to Paris, where it can be felt at a Brazilian restaurant called Favela Chic…”
New Yorker – Jet Set Sounds, 2002
Brazilian-influenced collective Favela Chic’s parties have become legendary in Paris. They have, over the last few years, hosted performances in their restaurant by some of the biggest names in the Brazilian music scene, from Seu Jorge, Dj Dolores et Orchestra Santa Massa, to BossaCucaNova (with Roberto Menescal), Cibelle, and Elsa Soares. They also take their unique concept outside their venue, organising parties and cultural events, using a whole team of cooks, artists, DJs, film makers, percussionists, make-up artists, stylists, “capoeristas”, actors, and others characters who bring glamour, originality and entertainment to these events.
With their Postonove series (volumes 1-4 have been released to date) Favela Chic offers a colourful kaleidoscope of Brazilian music to the listener of recorded music. The main idea of this project was to make a link between the purest tradition and the best of the ‘cutting edge’ Brazilian music, reflecting the chaotic but harmonious aspects of the Favelas’ (Brazilian shanty towns) architecture. Sounds of Samba and Bossa Nova Mix with Electronica, Funk, Hip Hop, Breakbeats and the ever important Batucada.
Stay fresh...
Blessssss !