More than a century ago, black revellers in Rio began adding rhythm to European melodies and samba was born. Now it is a huge market, with the yearly focus on the scene being the festivities before Ash Wednesday, Carnaval. During Carnaval Brazil shuts down for five days, the samba bands hit the streets and the party continues non-stop, Rio being the most famous location. The versatility of the rhythm, the passion of artists and innovation of the different forms makes samba one of the most irrepressible rhythms in the world. The Rough Guide To Samba delves into the heart, soul and roots of this enthusiastic, uplifting and cultural genre.
