(click for Samba scene in Rio)    (click for Capoeira action)  (click for percussion jamming)

                     4 million Africans were carried by slave ships to Brazil over the centuries. They brought with them their rich cultures including religions, languages, dances and of course music. Brazil now has the highest population of people of African descent second only to Africa itself.

                  Music is a passport to happiness for Brazilians - an escape from the everyday frustrations of a difficult material life.  Today many gifted Afro-Brazilian artists command mass adulation. A far cry from the miserable times of slavery. Afro-Brazilian talent is everywhere with a high concentration of artists in Bahia on Brazil’s east coast. The capital, Salvador, is the site of the original slavery ports where African slaves landed in their millions over hundreds of years.  The continuity over the centuries of this marvelous culture, including their remarkable musical heritage has heavily influenced and often dominated the arts within Brazil.

                  In Brazil, you are likely to see groups of kids on the streets using their hands as drumsticks to keep beat on tables and chairs. If you asked them what music is, you would get a response similar to that of Adenilton Iliveira, 20, of Salvador: "Music to me is like water, food, air. I wouldn't have a life without music."

                 It is no coincidence that the musical input by African slaves and their successors has been a major influence to the Brazilian music. The strength of will and determination of the Afro-Brazilian people over the centuries has seen them preserve their proud cultures and allowed them to retain their uniqueness through the dreadful years of slavery to modern. Distinctively original Afro-rhythms are clearly heard everywhere in the vast country and they blend and punctuate the many genres of Brazil's music of today. Gifted musicians of African descent perform everywhere in the country from street  to Cafe Bar performances to major musical concerts on grand city stages.

                This documentary mainly concentrates on Rio de Janeiro with the lead up to Carnivale and  Salvador, Bahia with its many religious ceremonies including Festival of Yemanja (one of the most important days in the Candomble religion) The film documents many of the local musicians with their infinite spellbinding rhythms from all over the region.