Fumaça Preta (pron. “foo-MAH-suh PREH-tuh”), “Black Smoke”, is a cross-genre acid fuzz band formed circa 2011 when an industry friendship morphed into a magnetic and palpable musical energy.

Fumaça Preta’s journey began when Joel Stones, Brazilian music aficionado and mastermind of the legendary NYC Record Shop, Tropicalia in Furs, produced a compilation of obscure Brazilian 45s from the ‘60s and ‘70s, appropriately titled Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas. Sound waves swiftly traveled from The Americas to Europe, where the record caught the attention of Portuguese-Venezuelan producer, Alex Figueira. Figueira ventured to NYC to recruit Stones to DJ a party in Amsterdam (perhaps harboring some ulterior motives). The party and ensuing European visit served as a catalyst for the organic and evolving partnership that would come to define Fumaça Preta.

On the day following the event in Amsterdam, Stones joined Figueira in his retro converted garage analog recording studio for an experimental session. The duo opted to arrange a version of the Sonics classic, “The Witch” into Portuguese, which provided a backdrop for Joel Stones’ innate aptitude for deep screams. The result? A slightly deranged, interminably groovy cover: “A Bruxa.”

With the creative juices flowing, Figueira and Stones were inspired to write, rehearse and record an original track (in the same session). “Loco” is an unhinged debut effort, rife with funky rhythms, trippy voice echoes and undertones of pure insanity. That afternoon, Stones returned to NYC but Fumaça Preta’s first 7-inch was born.

Later, UK-based band, The Grits (James Porch and Stuart Carter), loaned their fuzzy guitar riffs to both tracks. Their sound was rich, compelling and ultra funky: in other words, a perfect match for Stones and Figueira. The record was an instant hit with critics.

Months passed before Joel returned to tour Europe as a DJ. On a three-hour train ride from France to Amsterdam, a sleep-deprived Stones wrote four new songs, all of which were subsequently recorded. This time, James Porch and Stuart Carter joined Stones and Figueira at the Barracão Studio and things got serious. Of the four songs recorded, two were selected for Fumaça Preta’s sophomore release: “Eu Vou Me Libertar” and “Eu Era Um Cão”. The second critically acclaimed 45 stayed true to tradition, having been written, arranged and recorded in a single day.

In 2013, Fumaça Preta was ready to record a full album. In a mere five days, the band recorded 12 songs. The lyrics drew mind-bending inspiration from a book of original abstract poems that were written (and illustrated) in Stones’ adolescence, coloring each track with a vivid personal dimension.

On September 30, 2014, Fumaça Preta released their first LP (self-titled) under UK label Soundway Records. In it, Fumaça Preta draws inspiration from their diverse backgrounds to create the grooviest, funkiest and most otherworldly sounds that seek to reinvigorate the Brazilian Psychedelic-era. The band’s hard hitting, free wheeling debut fuses elements of Tropicalia, psychedelic rock, acid fuzz, funk, radio-phonic electronics, African Voodoo and Brazilian freak beat rhythms to create the ultimate listening experience.

Members: Stuart Carter (guitar), Alex Figueira (drums), James Porch (bass), Joel Stones (vocals)


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