André Sampaio, of Ponto de Equilíbrio, launches a crowdfunding campaign for his 1st solo album, with BNegão and African artists!

Anyone who knows African music knows the size of the responsibility and honor involved in sharing a studio with names like Fatim Kouyate (Mali), Sekou Diarra (Burkina Faso) and Vieux Farka Touré, none other than the also highly talented son of one of the greatest instrumentalists in history, the Malian Ali Farka Touré. Guitarist of Ponto de Equilíbrio, Rio native from Vila Isabel André Sampaio not only fulfilled the task with great competence, but went even further, learning at the source the roots of blues while living for three months in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, Guinea and Senegal. The trip served as the starting point for his first solo album, ‘Desaguou’ – full of luxury guest appearances, among Africans, Portuguese specialists in Afro sounds (Cacique 97 and Terrakota) and also Brazilians, such as BNegão, Bongar (coco group from Recife) and Nilton Junio (composer well known in the Pernambuco scene). Recorded alongside the band AfroMandinga, at the legendary Humble Ark studio in Mali, and at Estúdio Jimo, of the Lobato brothers, from Rappa, in Rio, ‘Desaguou’ now reaches its final phase. To put the record on the street, André registered the project on the crowdfunding site Embolacha to raise the R$ 18 thousand still missing for mastering (with Gustavo Lenza, who made albums by Céu and Abayomy), graphic design, pressing of 300 vinyl records and manufacture of one thousand CDs. In six days, ’Desaguou’ had already raised half of the total cost with rewards for every budget, from signed CDs to launch tickets, poster, workshop, a full show (already guaranteed by a supporter), and other very creative ones such as an intimate acoustic jam and dinner with Afro-Brazilian cuisine. “We want to close the record with a flourish, with the same care with which each stage was treated, from pre-production, the recording of the first EP, through the trip to Africa, Portugal, Olinda, and Estúdio Jimo of the Lobato brothers. The pressing of CDs and LPs will be done with high quality to reach a sound fusion that satisfies all lovers of good music. Supporting the completion of ‘Desaguou’ is an invitation to be part of this intense journey that was the album's production. It also strengthens the research and the building of bridges between Brazil and Africa”, wrote André on Embolacha (the project remains on the site until December 23). Amplificador showed in August the first images of André's trip to Africa, excerpts from the recordings and a conversation about the album. Since then, the band has already made two classic performances at Circo Voador, one at Fela Day and another at Mola, played at the Xicará Xirê party, in Santa, and was one of the attractions of Fela Day in Olinda, alongside Abeokuta. ‘Desaguou’ has ten tracks traveling through ‘desert-blues’, afrobeat, jazz, samba, coco and dub, experimenting with griot chants, capoeira and candomblé touches. There are eight original compositions and two versions of Nelson Cavaquinho and Paulinho da Viola. Go there and participate. Good music thanks you.