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Binario were formed in early 2002 by Lucas Vasconcellos (electric guitar and piano) and Bernardo Palmeira (drums and vocal) they added Bruno DiLullo (electric bass), Fabio Lima (electric guitar) alongside Rafael Rocha (drums), Eduardo Manso (electric guitar, piano) and Estevão Casé (synthesizer, piano) to create this gang of seven. Their experimental approach and interest in subverting frequency, harmony and groove is behind their love of Radiohead, Tortoise, Velvet Underground, Can, Kraftwerk, Zappa and Miles Davis.
Binario’s sound is a rhythmical mix of drums and bass supplying the South American grooves that drive the guitars and psychedelic synths around the twist, whilst their sing-a-long vocal chants work their way into your head. Their mix of rock, jazz and funk draws obvious comparisons to the Tropicália movement, the band site Gilberto Gil and Caetano as influences. The energy and rawness of their grooves also springs to mind bands from Rio’s early 80s post-punk scene, yet their influences go far beyond Brazil. Their rhythmically dense, layered sound owes much to the rock-improv of Tortoise (who they opened for in Rio two years ago) and Radiohead; kraut and progressive rock are obviously a big influence; there are also flashes of hip hop and dub/reggae.
Binario’s first album was released in 2006 through Cracker Records and was called ‘Nereid’. As ‘Binario’ co - producer David Brinkworth (Harmonic 33) says, “These guys love nothing better than playing, composing and producing music. I can't say I ever heard a cross word spoken between them.” Without egos or arguments Binario put down their second album, self titled ‘Binario’, in just five days at Companhia Dos Técnicos - the old RCA rooms in Copacabana – a studio large enough to set up two drummers, three guitarists, bass and vocals to capture what Joe Davis (Far Out Recordings Founder) and Brinkworth had heard on the beach. “We placed all the mics, turned off the lights, lit a couple of strategic candles and just pressed record.” A gloriously simple band then yet Binario have made a complex album where the subtleties.
In April 2010 Binario released ‘Noel Watson’s Mind Rattling Mix Tape’ through Far Out Recordings, digitally only.
DJ legend Noel Watson’s intricate and atmospheric mix of Binario’s genre hopping album is part soothing soundtrack, part freak out the neighbours. Noel Watson, along with his late brother Maurice, were among the first DJs to play house music in London in the mid-‘80s. Obsessed with Binario’s rhythmically rich and sonically expansive tracks Watson has produced an addictive mix, packed full of hypnotic, carefully collected samples that wind around Binario’s brooding instrumentals. A seven strong gang, Binario combine psychedelia, futuristic freak outs and tripped out space funk while Watson’s decades of experience and passion shine through in subtle genius. The sound of Rio’s underground and one of the UK’s finest DJs combine with wildly dreamy and warped cinematic results.
There are plans to record a new CD soon for Far Out Recordings, a second adventure.
Discography
Nereid - 2006 (Cracker Records)
Binario - 2008 (Far Out Recordings)
Noel Watson’s Mind Rattling Mix Tape - 2010 (Far Out Recordings)
