Otto

Otto was formerly a percussionist with the respected mangue beat band Mundo Livre S/A. Having been pivotal in his rhythm section duties for their first two albums, his talents as singer/songwriter soon became evident. Of Dutch and Brazilian descent, Otto's rural upbringing in the northeastern region of Pernambuco exposed him to myriad folk music and rhythms.

In 1989 he succumbed to a long-time wanderlust, flying to France, where, having run out of money by the time he'd taken a taxi from the airport, he spent the next two years busking; playing percussion on the streets and subways.

More of a lyricist than a musician, his melodies, simple and catchy, are the ideal vehicle for unpretentious entertainment.

Upon his return he teamed up with fellow mangue overlords Chico Science and Nacao Zumbi. Around this time he became interested in the infinite methods by which electronic recording techniques could enhance an already rich palette. This new freeform, techno-traditional methodology hatched a milestone work. The audacious Samba Pra Burro, Otto's debut solo album, was acclaimed internationally as an innovative meltdown of maracutu, drum'n'bass, forro and rap and was awarded best album of 1998 by the Art Critics Association of Sao Paolo.

His second album, Condom Black is a bewitching excursion into the hinterlands of the Brazilian left-field, hurling a solid core of rural folk rhythms and song structures into a furnace of anarchic funk and expert beat-craft.

— Courtesy Calabash Music