Born in Alagoas, a Carioca by choice and a reggaeman in spirit — that is Vell Rangel, a 35-year-old singer and songwriter who emerges as one of the main promises of national reggae. A newcomer landing on the scene with a veteran's baggage, Vell Rangel has long stood out on Rio de Janeiro's alternative show circuit, gaining notoriety and recognition from the public thanks to the enormous success of his parallel project: the Bob Marley Cover band, where he undisputedly masters the role of the king and father of reggae.
Raised in Realengo, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro, Vell Rangel shows ease, sensitivity and forcefulness when addressing themes that are part of popular daily life. Faithful to the discourse that over the years established reggae as a fundamental weapon of protest and awareness, "A Luta Continua" has a sure place among the greatest and most relevant roots reggae albums Brazil has ever produced. Firm roots that confirm the longevity of music born from the impulse of this suburban Brazilian reggae man's unconscious.
Vell Rangel's rough voice pairs perfectly with beautiful melodies and harmonic variations that, on first listen, recall for attentive ears the great disseminators of Jamaican music such as Bob Marley, Steel Pulse, Israel Vibration, Edson Gomes and Cidade Negra. Clear references in songs such as "Benevolência", "Guerreira", "Neguinho de Rua", "Seriedade" and "Muro Radical", to cite a few.
Following a path of firm steps, Vell Rangel has been establishing himself as one of the great names of national reggae and turning his music into an indispensable element. As he himself says on the title track that names his first album, "there's a lot of game left to sweat, the stones will roll, it won't be easy to bring me down..."
Yes, the struggle continues.