Os Barbapapas: Enigma

Enigma is the first studio album by the spaceage, glass-harp powered, tropicalia quartet Os Barbapapas. Understandably, those adjectives could invoke images of kitschiness in one's mind; that concept is smashed by the ice cold shot of Brazilian jazz riffing in the album's opener and first single, "Se Liga Na Sequência". Os Barbapapas trapeze the vast richness of Brazilian/South American music heritage and beyond, as a collective with members who have variously traveled to Morocco to master Gnawa; played in circuses, or were born in the heartland of samba - these experiences and much more inform the complex yet breezy instrumentals of Enigma. In 2019 fellow labelmate Pedro from the The Düsseldorf Düsterboys reported back to the Fun in the Church HQ after spotting the band as a clear stand out in the São Paulo scene. The label approached Os Barbapapas, who were stocked with the material for a first album, before the horrors of 2020 began to occur. This contract turned into a beam of positivity as it fostered a series of online concerts featuring unique compositions written for the band to perform whilst live in isolation. Those recordings became their first album, Doowoodoowoo. Viewing these performances online retrospectively, you can witness the gritty desire of Os Barbapapas to create - at all costs. In 2022 the band was finally able to meet again and work in a studio with all the warmth and ingenuity that facilitated. Old songs were vamped up with the help of new band member Fernando Lima, and fresh tunes were inspired from the next round of jams. One notable difference from the lockdown album to this studio work is the separation of the glass harp melodies from the guitar licks, so that counterpoint arrangements bulk the sound significantly. Tomás Gleiser is the designer of the recognisable glass harp instrument on this album, water-tuned glasses running through a wah wah and other pedals, which is one of the key elements of the band's unique sound. Their inventions don't stop there: "Yucumã" - the Ry Cooder-esque masterpiece - is played on the Copper Tacho Guitar, an instrument with 3 main strings played as a slide guitar and 10 sympathetic strings played as a harp, created by guitarist Selva Rubens. It's a joy to pick through the notable influences that resound over Enigma. Ethiopian Jazz bursts from "Caminho para Itiwawa", backed by an Afro-Latin swing, fostered by drummer Barbara Mucciollo. There's tonalities from North African artists such as Omar Khorshid or West African artists such as Tinriwen and Ali Farka Touré, as well as rhythmic influence from Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian music. The dynamite track "(L)Atitude(S)" contains the explorative excitement of Brazilian 60s luminaries like Pedro Santos, however none are as special as layered percussion of "Gaba Gaba", connected to the very specific rhythms of Northeast Brazil. It's evident from listening to Enigma that Os Barbapapas are an exceptional live band. They have their sights set on Europe soon, with the Glass Harp packed away safely. Until then, please enjoy this electrifying album of their work so far, understanding: this is an extremely exciting project, still in it's auspicious infant years.

1. Se Liga Na Sequência
2. Pelegos E Porongos
3. (L)Atitude(S)
4. Caminho Para Itiwawa
5. Gaba Gaba
6. Ensaio Pro Fervo
7. Suculenta
8. Miragem
9. Yucumã

Shipping is available to the 48 contiguous United States. We are unable to ship to PO Boxes, International locations, or APO/FPO addresses. 

Please ensure your address is entered correctly. We are unable to redirect to an alternate shipping address once an order is placed.If your order contains multiple items, it may ship from different warehouse locations.

Tracking information will be sent as items are shipped.

Allow up to 5 business days for your order to process when calculating delivery dates. 

Note: Additional delays may occur due to severe weather or other carrier delays. 

Standard Shipping: allow 7-10 business days for delivery. Albums will be shipped via USPS Media Mail; all other products via UPS Ground or FedEx Ground.

Expedited Shipping: allow 2-5 business days for delivery. Albums will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail; all other products via UPS 2-Day Air or FedEx 2-Day Air.

Overnight Shipping: allow 1-2 business days for delivery. All products will be shipped via UPS Next Day Air or FedEx Next Day Air. 

We offer a 30-day money back guarantee on all products purchased from Victrola.com. All items must be returned as new in their original packaging, including all accessories and cables. Albums must be unopened to receive a refund. Missing items will be charged based on suggested retail prices.

All returns must be accompanied by a valid return authorization number (RMA) issued by Victrola. If an RMA is not obtained prior to shipping, the returned product will be refused and returned to sender.

If the item is no longer wanted, the shipping cost is not refundable and returns must be shipped prepaid by the customer. There is a 15% restocking fee that will be calculated based on the price of the product once the item is refunded.

If the item is defective, a pre-paid shipping label to return the product will be provided, and no restocking fee applies.

To set up a return for refund please visit Customer Care. Be sure to include your order # and reason for your return when submitting your request.

View more information about returns and warranty here.