On what was then the hottest day of the year, the salmon skinned crowd wandered in to the Big Top to escape the heat whilst Mr. Motta was still setting up. Wearing a flat cap and a cardigan, Motta looked more like your favourite uncle ready for a game of crown green bowls than a Brazilian superstar.

Introduced as, “The very fine Ed Motta”, he got the band into the groove straight away to the delight of the Brazilian family at the front of the stage who were waving the national flag. His vocals sound very 70s Stevie (as pointed out in the Aystelum review) but he was also scatting, beat boxing and generally having a great time. I was really impressed when the drummer went into a long solo, unlike your rock bands who slope off for a beer, this band stayed to listen; Mr Motta seemed particular immersed in it. It was a great gig and throughly recommended. For once, Monday’s metro have got it right with picking Motta at Cargo as their ‘Gig Of The Week’.

There seems so much going on at he moment, particularly Brazilian orientated (like Max Cole at Guanabara last week) it’s hard to keep up. But if you can’t make it to London, check out Gilles’ exclusive series of podcasts from Brazil every week during the World Cup (see links below).

Photo of Ed Motta by Damian Rafferty, more on Flykr

Links:
www.edmotta.com
Ed Motta Live with full Brasilian Band, DJ’s Gilles Peterson & Ady Harley (Ether Music)
WED 13TH JUNE BRASIL VS. CROATIA 8pm KO Gilles Peterson launches his Back To Brazil album and Sao Paulo’s Instituto play live.
Cargo www.cargo-london.com 83 Rivington Street, Shoreditch EC2
7pm - 1am £15 on the door
Gilles Peteson Podcasts at www.brahma.com
www.metro.co.uk
Waterloo, Blackpool - “Wembley of the Crown Green Bowls World”