Some artists leave a legacy that stretches far beyond a great single or a number 1 album.
Artist Focus is a new Sunday series hosted by the extended Melodic Distraction family that deep dives into the life and times of the musicians that have defined the sound of modern music. From the stone cold classics to the unearthed gems and forgotten B-sides, our community tribute an hour of music by a single artist that has had a notable impact on their life.
This week, Zaremba stops in on a Brazilian luminary in, Jorge Ben Jor. Mixing samba with bossa, rock, funk, disco and pop – Ben never fit into Brazil’s distinct musical movements.
With hits like Mas Que Nada, O Telephone and Taj Mahal, he’s perhaps Brazil’s biggest worldwide musical export. A proponent for the Black experience in Brazil and an anti-establishment figure under an oppressive military regime in the 70s and 80s, Ben was uncompromising in his music, beliefs and desire to take his music to the world.