Formed in 1980, Ara Ketu is a Bahian percussion-based pop band, one of the groups known as "blocos afro" such as Olodum and Timbalada that formed in the 1980s and helped create a new fusion of traditional Carnaval samba and modern popular music. Ara Ketu tilted heavily towards light pop-rock material and while they were big stars, they are one of those love-'em-or-hate-'em bands that some Brazilian music fans are quick to disavow. You can see for yourself: here's a quick look at their career...
Ara Ketu "Ara Ketu" (Continental Records, 1987) (LP)
Ara Ketu "Ara Ketu" (Seven Gates, 1992)
Ara Ketu "Ara Ketu De Periperi" (EMI-Odeon, 1993)
Ara Ketu "Bom Demais" (Columbia Records, 1994)
Pretty harmless -- and pretty uninspiring -- softcore pop/axe, with muted Afro-Brazilian percussion underneath. Not unlike later efforts by Olodum and Timbalada, though even wimpier. I think these guys were pretty big at the time, but I don't think this set really holds up.
Ara Ketu "Dividindo Alegria" (Columbia Records, 1996)
Ara Ketu "Dez" (Columbia Records, 1996)
Ara Ketu "Pra La De Bom" (Columbia Records, 1997)
Ara Ketu "Ao Vivo" (Columbia Records, 1998)
Ara Ketu "...E O Povo Ao Vivo De Novo" (Sony, 1999)
Ara Ketu "Vida" (Sony-Columbia, 2000)
Ara Ketu "Ara Ketu" (Sony-Columbia, 2001)
Ara Ketu "Ensaio Do Ara Ketu" (Sony-BMG, 2002)
Ara Ketu "25 Emocoes" (Sony-BMG, 2005)
Ara Ketu "Ao Vivo Em Salvador" (EMI-Odeon, 2008)
Ara Ketu "O Melhor Do Ara Ketu" (Som Livre, 2004)
Ara Ketu "Maxximum" (Sony-BMG, 2005)
Ara Ketu "Ensaio Do Ara Ketu" (Sony-BMG, 2002) (DVD)
Ara Ketu "Festival De Verao De Salvador" (Sony-BMG, 2005) (DVD)
