Saravah Soul is a half-Brazilian, half-British collective that plays a hybrid music they call Afro-Brazilian funk. Leader Otto Nascarella sought to create a modern music that revisited and reflected the deep influence of late-'60s Brazilian soul-funk and uptempo samba. Eventually he found likeminded musicians who share backing vocal duties and are multi-instrumentalists. The band began garnering a following through marathon high-energy live shows, and issued its first single, “Nao Posso Te Levar a Serio.” It was a club smash that bubbled up to the mainstream. Major labels came calling, but the band remained with the Tru Thoughts label and issued its self-titled debut in 2008. Saravah Soul's second full-length, Cultura Impura, followed in 2010. ~ Thom Jurek