Os Tincoãs

Origin

Cachoeira, BA

Genres

mpb, afro-brazilian music, samba

Instruments

vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion

Biography

Os Tincoãs was a pioneering Brazilian musical group formed in Bahia, initially coming together in 1959 and officially establishing themselves in 1960. Originating from the municipality of Cachoeira in the Recôncavo Baiano region, the band initially consisted of Erivaldo, Heraldo, and Dadinho, who primarily performed romantic boleros and popular songs of the era without achieving widespread success. After Erivaldo chose to stay behind in Cachoeira, the arrival of Mateus Aleluia marked a crucial turning point, leading the trio to revolutionize Brazilian popular music by introducing intricate vocal harmonies inspired by Afro-Brazilian religious chants and samba de roda.

Immersing themselves deeply in Candomblé traditions, capoeira circles, and ancestral African roots, the group crafted a distinctive sonic identity that transformed Afro-Brazilian religious music. In 1973, they released a self-titled landmark album that stunned critics who believed MPB was faltering after the festival era. Featuring delicate acoustic guitar work, percussion, and sublime three-part vocal harmonies dedicated to the Orishas like Iansã, Obaluaê, and Iemanjá, the record elevated Candomblé chants to unprecedented artistic heights within Brazilian culture.

Following the immense success of their 1973 masterpiece, the group experienced lineup changes due to the passing of Heraldo, with members such as Morais and Badu stepping in over time. Their enduring legacy was further solidified decades later when their 1983 recording, "Canto Coral Afrobrasileiro", finally received an official release in 2023, earning a prestigious honorable mention from the São Paulo Association of Art Critics among the best national albums of that year. Throughout their career, Os Tincoãs paved the way for artists exploring deep Afro-Brazilian roots, sharing stylistic and cultural affinities with legendary figures like Gilberto Gil and Clara Nunes.