Os Mulheres Negras

This vocal and instrumental pop duo was formed in 1985 in São Paulo by André Abujamra (vocals, guitar, keyboards, and drum machines) and Maurício Pereira (vocals, saxophone) that produced work centered on a parody of techno pop that employed a multitude of musical styles. Abujamra and Pereira met in 1984 during a course on African percussion. Their energetic and humorous performances were noticed by a faithful audience that turned the duo into a cult. They had hits with "Sub" (version for "Yellow Submarine"), "John," and "Monstros Japoneses." The first album came in 1988, Música e Ciência. Mixing punk rock and bossa nova (along with several other genres), the album had a 35-second version of Tom Jobim's "Samba do Avião." The second one, Música Serve Para Isso (1990), had a more conventional aspect in form, but continued with the irreverent line. The duo was dissolved in 1991, with Abujamra continuing to parody world music in his subsequent band Karnak.
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