Os Diagonais

Years active

1964–1971

Genres

soul, samba, mpb, funk

Instruments

vocais, guitarra, baixo, bateria, piano, vibrafone, piano elétrico

Biography

Os Diagonais was a Brazilian musical group formed in 1964, originally under the name "Bossa Trio". Led by the singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist Cassiano, from Paraíba, the group stood out for its blend of samba and soul, with a strong emphasis on vocals. The band had a short but significant career, releasing two LPs: "Os Diagonais" in 1969 via CBS/Epic and "Cada um na sua" in 1971 via RCA. In addition to their own work, Os Diagonais also served as the backing band for Tim Maia at the beginning of the "síndico's" career in the late 1960s.

The group's lineup featured several talented musicians throughout its existence, including Paulinho (drums), Luizão (bass), Carlinhos (piano), Marcos (guitar), Luís Wagner (guitar and artistic coordination), Hyldon (guitar), Antonio da Anunciação (vibraphone), Osmar Milito (electric piano), as well as maestros Waldir Arouca and Walter Branco, and João Costa Netto on artistic direction. Cassiano, Amaro, and Camarão (Cassiano's brother) were core members of the group. After the end of Os Diagonais, Amaro and Camarão formed the band "Achados e Perdidos" and, later, "Taxi".

The legacy of Os Diagonais lies in their innovative sound for the time, which anticipated trends in Brazilian soul and funk. Their songs, such as "Não Vou Chorar" and "Cada um na sua", continue to be appreciated by fans of Brazilian music who look for sounds with soul influences and Afro-Brazilian rhythms. The group's importance is frequently associated with the work of Cassiano, considered a precursor of Brazilian soul.