Ivo Meirelles

A widely known figure on the samba scene and promising new talent in this area, the former diretor de harmonia (one of the most important roles in a samba school) of Mangueira Ivo Meirelles wrote one of the most popular sambas of the '80s, "Caymmi Mostra ao Mundo o que a Bahia e a Mangueira Têm." Nevertheless, he abandoned concerns of authenticity, incorporating in his music elements of pop, funk, and rock, having recorded four solo albums from 1986 to 1999. The new militancy brought him a partnership with Lobão. Meirelles also formed the group Funk'n'Lata, which accompanies him in some of his albums. In this experience, he tries to blend the different but related cultures of the samba school and of funk music, exploring an aesthetics of poverty (the musicians' uniform is strongly reminiscent of those used by garbage collectors in Rio de Janeiro). In 2001, he had success at the Rock in Rio III Festival. ~ Alvaro Neder, Rovi