“Popular Brazilian music was not only a set of historical events ... the role of the Communist and Trotskyite left , which enhanced the black, African samba.” Things can end well, in a samba.

When you’re talking, crying, when it rains, there is percussion,” declared percussionist extraordinaire Mokhtar Samba. The African skinsman would know best. After all, he’s plied his trade ...

the music - in large part because of its African roots. That's the message one of Rio de Janeiro's famous samba schools is delivering at this weekend's official Carnival parade, as NPR's Carrie ...