Durval Lelys, band leader, is the face of Asa de Águia. His irreverence made him a figure quite charismatic, knowing how to rock the public like no one else. Durval is an architect, graduated from UFBA, but he left the drawing board to devote himself to the art career. He is singer, guitarist and composes most of the hits of the group.
Leví Pereira is a very experienced bassist and vocalist, a musician of great personality, and is also a composer. He began his career at age 16, bringing all the knowledge of years of work with Armandinho and the whole family of unforgettable Osmar Macedo.
Leading the heartbeat rhythm of drums of Asa de Águia is Rady Santos. A known musician in Bahia and with a beat full of energy, he commands with strong hands the band marking. He began his career playing in dancing balls at the age 16 in Barrocas (BA), his home town. Besides drums, Rady is also a songwriter and sings in performances of Asa.
A Uruguayan player of keyboard, Ricardo Ferraro came to Brazil in January 1987 to visit the beaches of Bahia. He fell in love with the place and decided to stay in the land, where he met Durval Lelys who invited him to join the group. Currently, the musician is on solo career as DJ Rambo.
Ubajara Carvalho is the drummer of the band. He also came from the school of Dodô and Osmar, and he was invited by Durval and Levi to join Asa de Águia. Bajara is also a composer and has some successful partnerships with Luiz Caldas, Durval Lelys, Carlinhos Brown and David Sersan.
In the Carnival of Salvador, Asa leads the blocks CocoBambu and Me Abraça. In micaretas through the country, the band leads the block Cerveja & Coco, a partnership between Asa de Águia and Ivete Sangalo, since 2005.
In addition to the blocks, differentiated projects of shows such as Trivela, Mica Hall, Carna Hall, FeijoAsa, Cocobambu Folia, Asa Beach, ArraiAsa, Asa Country, Asa Beats and ASA 3D were also developed, adding more innovation to its performances. Always betting in a mix of rhythms, the band has gained increasingly differentiated publics and accumulating hits such as: Bota pra Ferver, Take it Easy, Qual É?, A Gente Pede Festa, Com Amor, Não Tem Lua, Oba Vou Passear, Cocobambu, Dia dos Namorados, Pra Lá de Bragadá, Xô Satanás, A Dança da Tartaruga, Manivela, Dança do Vampiro, Pit Bull, O Rei da Rua, Reino da Folia, Casamento Não, Salvador Dalino, Abalou, O Mago, Amor de Fé, Gênio da Lata, O Lobo, Gladiador, O Que Tem Que Ser Será, Simbora, Dia do Asa and Quebra Aê, which rendered six trophies as the best music in Carnival 2007 and was the most performed song in Carnival 2008 of Bahia.
Jamalaika
Asa De Águia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ama lá e cá
Bahia jamaica
Jamalaika
Balanço dá no balanço dá
Contas no passo marcado no pé
Braços que vão e que voltam
Um homem e uma mulher
Reggae, lundu, contas corais
Gosto, do mar, gosto de dançar
Quando canto posso viajar
Viajar nas montanhas azuis
E ver seu rosto lindo
Nas nuvens qual estrela
Posso viajar.
The lyrics of Asa de Águia's song "Jamalaika" are a celebration of the intersections and similarities between the cultures of Bahia and Jamaica. The opening lines of "Jah jah jah, ama lá e cá" foreground the connection between these two places and the influence of reggae music and Rastafarianism on Bahian culture. The chorus of "Jamalaika" is a call to dance, with the repetition of "balanço dá" emphasizing the infectious rhythm and energy of the music.
The verses of the song describe a scene of dancing bodies, with "braços que vão e que voltam" (arms that go and come back) and "tranças" (braids) and "danças" (dances) animating the body. The music being danced to is a blend of reggae, lundu, and "contas corais" (coral beads), creating a unique sound that reflects the multicultural influences on Bahian music. The second verse brings together the themes of dance, the sea, and travel, with the singer describing how singing allows them to "viajar nas montanhas azuis" (travel to the blue mountains) and see the face of their loved one among the clouds like a star.
Overall, the lyrics of "Jamalaika" celebrate the joy of music, dance, and the connections between different cultures. It highlights the unique blend of influences that make up Bahian music and culture, and the way that music allows for travel between different places and times.
Line by Line Meaning
Jah jah jah
The singer is calling out to the Rastafarian deity, Jah, three times out of reverence and respect.
Ama lá e cá
The singer loves both Bahia and Jamaica, two places that they likely have a deep connection to and feel a strong sense of belonging in.
Bahia jamaica
The singer mentions two places, Bahia and Jamaica, which may hold significant cultural or emotional meaning for them.
Jamalaika
The artist combines the names of Jamaica and Laika, a popular name for dogs in Russia, to create a unique word or phrase that may represent a fusion of different cultures or influences.
Balanço dá no balanço dá
The repeated phrase 'balanço dá' likely refers to the feeling of swaying or dancing to music, conveying a sense of rhythm and movement.
Contas no passo marcado no pé
The singer mentions 'contas', or beads, in conjunction with a rhythmic or marked step, perhaps referring to the use of beads in traditional dances or religious rituals.
Braços que vão e que voltam
This line likely refers to the fluid movements of dance, as arms move rhythmically back and forth while dancing.
Um homem e uma mulher
The artist mentions a man and a woman, which may represent a romantic or intimate relationship between two people who are enjoying the music and dance together.
No corpo as tranças as danças
This line may suggest a connection between traditional hairstyles (like braids or dreadlocks) and cultural dances, highlighting the shared heritage and customs of different cultures.
Reggae, lundu, contas corais
The artist lists three different types of music or dance styles that may all share a common thread of African or Caribbean cultural heritage. 'Contas corais' may also refer to the use of beads in religious or spiritual practices.
Gosto, do mar, gosto de dançar
The singer expresses their love for two things: the ocean and dancing. Both may represent a sense of freedom, energy, and movement, and a connection to the natural world.
Quando canto posso viajar
The artist suggests that through singing, they are able to escape into their imagination and perhaps even journey to far-off places in their mind.
Viajar nas montanhas azuis
The singer describes the act of traveling, specifically through the 'montanhas azuis', or Blue Mountains, which may refer to a real place in Jamaica or a metaphorical journey through the unknown or mystical.
E ver seu rosto lindo
The singer mentions seeing a 'beautiful face', although it is not clear who this person is or what significance they hold in relation to the song.
Nas nuvens qual estrela
The singer uses a simile to compare the idea of traveling in the clouds to the shining light of a star.
Posso viajar.
This line reinforces the idea that through music and dance, the artist is able to journey to new and exciting places, both physically and mentally.
Contributed by Kayla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.