Knockout Ned

Seu Jorge: When I Live My Dream and Ziggy Stardust
From The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions [Hollywood, 2004]

Seu Jorge: Carolina
From Samba Esporte Fino [Indie Records Brazil, 2001]

Who's Knockout Ned?

You might remember him from the groundbreaking film City of God, or perhaps more recently as the musical mastermind behind Wes Anderson's latest The Life Aquatic. Born Jorge Mario de Silva (later nicknamed Seu Jorge) in Rio De Janeiro on June 8, 1970, Seu grew up during the burgeoning Brazilian music scene, and it wasn't until he spent many years living on the streets, distraught by his brother's murder, that he was eventually brought into a nightclub to audition for a musical play.

So begins Seu Jorge's career as an artist. His first instrument was the clarinet, but it was the guitar that he had a true passion for, learning to play during the breaks of shows in bars. In the late 90's he formed the group Farofa Carioca, blending samba, jongo, raggae, funk, rap, circus, and dance. For his first solo effort, Samba Esporte Fino, Seu relied on the one thing that had been the staple of his music his whole life: samba. "Samba is our truth, our particularity, our golden medal, our stronghold, our Brazilian flag," he says.

His work for The Life Aquatic is quite different, however, performing a series of David Bowie tracks translated into Portugese, and delivered with folk and jazz inflections. The sound is completely stripped down from his previous work, but is beautifully executed. Much of this music was never presented in their entirety on screen, and some tracks were ommited alltogether, making this album a must listen for anyone intrigued by the film's lush soundtrack.

As for what's next for Knockout Ned; bigger and better things I'm sure.