MICK MCSHANE is roused by a band whose socialism laces every line of every song with commitment and raw passion

SAO PAULO-based Afro-Brazilian 10-piece horn-led band Bixiga 70 return to the studio with a new set on Glitterbeat Records called Vapor — their first studio outing since 2018.
Since then Brazil has changed culturally and politically.
The pandemic hit Brazil hard. Baritone sax man Cuca Ferreira told the Morning Star: “Being a large band we’ve always depended on our live performances to exist. So when the pandemic came we were severely hurt, and we were not sure if we would be able to keep the band active. Everyone had to invent something new to do and make some money, it was really tough. We only started creating something new when things got better and we were able to meet again.”

TONY BURKE says an International Labour Conference next month will try for a new convention to protect often super-exploited workers providing services such as ride-hailing (taxis) such as Uber as well as fast food and package delivery

How underground bands formed a vital part of the struggle against white supremacy

