Actually let me clarify that. Not even his voice, but maybe one single word.

Before I get to that word though, a quick bio about the man…

The subject today is José Altafini, a Brazilian born Italian.

“Altafini played for Palmeiras in Brazil, before he began his career in Italy with AC Milan in 1958. He made his debut on September 21, 1958, and, in his first season, played 32 games and scored 28 goals, winning the title along the way. Milan won the title again in 1962, when Altafini was the league’s joint top scorer with 22 goals in 33 games.

In 1965, Altafini joined Napoli, where he stayed until 1972. After his time at Napoli he joined Juventus.

By the time he left Juventus in 1976, Altafini had played 459 games in Serie A and had scored 216 goals.”

As well as all this Altafini had the rare distinction of playing for the Brazilian and then the Italian national team. This was in the days before they changed the rules. Plus he became a naturalised Italian which helped.

After his retirement Altafini eventually became a pundit on Sky Italia, which is where that word comes into play…

The word ? Well in the UK in the 90′s everybody was given a bad translation.

It wasn’t:

It was in fact:

‘Golaccio’

But… that Portuguese word doesn’t actually translate to Italian too well.
- This is from an old Guardian Football Weekly podcast, where James Richardson, the presenter of Channel 4′s Football Italia answers a question about the sample used in the programme’s title:

[See post to listen to audio]

Before the Football Italia theme, the co-creator Steve Duberry was in a band called Definitive Two who’s total output was this one release in 1992:

[See post to listen to audio] » Definitive Two – I’m Stronger Now

As you can hear it is a very familiar tune.

Duberry then took this, along with a sample of Altafini first used by J. Saul Kane in this Depth Charge single done two years earlier and came up with:

[See post to listen to audio] » Channel 4 Football Italia Theme

So there you have it, Jose Altafini sampled.

But you know that’s not the real reason why we are here and I’m writing about him. Yes that’s right he did the same as Chinaglia and recorded a song:

[See post to listen to audio] » Jose Altafini – La Rosa

If you want to have a further laugh then have a read of the (Google Translated) lyrics here.

To finish off we’ll go back to Football Italia and this video of the best goals from the ’94-95 season:

Lately I’ve been in a funk F&M wise… Oh you’ve noticed… I just wasn’t feeling it, especially this week.

As I traipsed back into the dressing room, there was A North Country Bhoy who gave a rousing half time team talk and I was so inspired that I now run back out on the pitch with a renewed passion !

ANCB didn’t actually say anything directly or specifically to me. It was because of one of his posts about a musical act and seeing their name reminded me of something I have in the vaults…

The artists in question are known for their breakbeats, techno, drum and bass & any other style that they care to throw in. They are Fila Brazillia.

But it’s not just them, there’s another act involved in this story too. Their area was progressive house and acid jazz, they were on the Boys Own label in the mid-90′s… They are the Ballistic Brothers.

…and it doesn’t end there… I’m beginning to sound like Jools Holland now... one more group to throw in this mix – they are from South America and they add the samba sound to this beat. The one and only Arakatuba.

Ok enough with the long introduction, let’s get on with the music…

Have you ever thought to yourself – “I wonder if somebody has done an album about an entire team…”   Well you mightn’t of, but I have.

That musing was answered yesterday after I was perusing A North Country Bhoy’s.. *ahem…slightly unfortunate use with the sentence there… blog and was looking at the entry into.. alright stop that now… about Fila Brazillia. The exotically sounding dance act from err… Hull.

They are noted mixers most famously having done a Radiohead track [Climbing Up The Walls] – plus not as well known, but they also remixed a Collapsed Lung (which as you know the F&M connect with Eat My Goal), song as well…

…Not to mention producing their own material too.

It wasn’t that one which got me stirred up though, it was because of something from all three acts mentioned above – Arakatuba & Ballistic Brothers & Fila Brazillia. I spotted a collaboration between all of them and because this site is football and music you know where this is going…

The main featured act of this football and musical trio though is Arakabuba who it is difficult finding much information about. As far as I can tell they are a latin beats, samba band from Brazil who are signed and record for a UK label – Mr Bongo:

“From humble beginnings in the London basement of Daddy Kool’s reggae shop on Berwick Street, Mr Bongo is now seen as the standard bearer for Latin music outside the Americas. With regular imports from Latin America, Cuba and the USA to our store, we brought the Latin and Brazilian sound to discerning listeners across Europe, establishing a core interest which has since gone from strength to strength.”

It was in 1996 that (hailing from Brazil but are based in London) Arakatuba released an album and not just any old album. On this LP each track is about a Brazilian football player.

Side note: I remembered that a year ago now I did a Brazil theme and for one week everything was about Pelé. In that Pelé week I actually posted an instrumental track done by Arakatuba about him.

Little did I know until yesterday that the Pele track was only the tip of the iceberg…

The album Brazil Explosion has more instrumentals by Arakatuba, plus remixes from the likes of Kenny Dope, Box Saga, Soul Generation and Faze Action. As well as the aforementioned Fila Brazillia and Ballistic Brothers.

The names of the tracks on the album are: “Felix, Junior, Carlos Alberta, Josimar, Eder, Pele, Dunga, Riva, Jarzinho, Zico” – and 11 short snippets entitled: “Rivelinho, Rivelinho 1, Rivelinho 2, Rivelinho 3…etc, etc…”   which are all useful for a DJ with sampling.

- I’ve selected a couple of remix/collaboration tracks to highlight here:

» Purchase the entire album from Amazon UK or Amazon USA.

Additionally… A track not on the album, the one which I first spotted that got me started on all this:

[See post to listen to audio] » Arakatuna, Ballistic Brothers, Fila Brazillia – Sócrates

Extra Time:

A couple of selections from the above artists on their own and in their own right:

	[See post to listen to audio] » Ballistic Brothers – Come On (Simon Templar Mix)
	[See post to listen to audio] » Fila Brazillia – It’s A Knockout

…From a North Country Bhoy to Fila Brazillia to Arakatube to Brazil to Ballistic Brothers…

…After the previous swimsuit round (with a slight embarrassment for Miss England who forgot her costume and subsequently went out wearing nothing but a knotted hankie on her head) – we now come to the talent part of the competition…

Thank you Uruguay for entertaining us with their balloon animals, and Ghana with the piano recital during the break – it’s now the turn for Miss Germany… Here tonight being represented by Franz “Der Kaiser to you and me, kick and rush football not for him” Beckenbauer.

“Take it away, Franz !”

[See post to listen to audio] » Franz Beckenbauer – 1-0 fuer Deine Liebe (English: One-nil for your love)

- German Lyrics 1:0 für deine Liebe 1:0 hast du gesiegt Denn ich weiß, dass Alles Glück in meinem Leben Ganz allein in deinen Händen liegt 1:0 für deine Liebe 1:0 für dich allein Hab ich dich, dann Kann mir gar nichts mehr passieren Deine Liebe lässt mich glücklich sein 1:0 für deine Liebe 1:0 hast du gesiegt Denn ich weiß, dass Alles Glück in meinem Leben Ganz allein in deinen Händen liegt 1:0 für deine Liebe 1:0 für dich allein Hab ich dich, dann Kann mir gar nichts mehr passieren Deine Liebe lässt mich glücklich sein

- (Google Translated) English Lyrics 1:0 for your love 1:0, you have triumphed Because I know that All happiness in my life All alone in your hands 1:0 for your love 1:0 for you alone Hab ich dich, then Can I do nothing happens Your love makes me happy 1:0 for your love 1:0, you have triumphed Because I know that All happiness in my life All alone in your hands 1:0 for your love 1:0 for you alone Hab ich dich, then Can I do nothing happens Your love makes me happy

» More here.

Ah ha… thank you for that… lovely…

Now for our next contestant – All the way from the Argentines (Don’t mention the Malvinas !) down there in the Americas… it’s the effervescent and always smiling Diego Armando “drug taking, tax evading, hand of god cheating” Maradona. Who in this instance gets into a three way:

[See post to listen to audio] » Pimpinela and Diego Maradona – Querida Amiga - There is a video too.

» More here.

Scintillating…just scintillating…

Going back to Europa again and to the low countries… to the Netherlands…Holland… the land of the Holland..ish peoples, who is being represented by Ruud “a big management failure at Newcastle, Feyenoord and even LA Galaxy” Gullit, who admits to being:

» Ruud Gullit – Not The Dancing Kind

» More here – Including an anti-Apartheid song.

“Super…super… schexy indeed…”

So once again we take an intercontinental passage back to South America and the beaches of Rio… the sand… the samba… and representing them is Edson “El Rey” Pele :

[See post to listen to audio] » Pelé & Gracinha Leporace – Meu Mundo E Uma Bola (My World Is A Ball)

» More here.

Thank you for that. Captivating…

“Join us again after the break where to entertain us whilst the judges are making their decisions… Kevin Keegan will perform a medley of his greatest hi.. some of the singles he’s released… “

[See post to listen to audio] » The Rosettes – World Cup Doo-Wop

[See post to listen to audio] » Santiago Sixty Two – World Cup Cha Cha Cha

Pictured above. Fatty Ron celebrating with Pele (who can’t keep his eyes off that used-a-steam-iron-as-a-template bit of hair on his forehead) before being carried around by his team mates – who were treated for a hernia later on.

- Before I continue here’s a reminder of that final with commentary by Motty:

In case you can’t watch that clip: This was the game that was going to help relieve that bad memory and performance in the 1998 World Cup by the “biggest player in the world”.

Coming into this final it was a case of the “the three R’s” (Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and a resurgent Ronaldo) who were up against Olli Kahn, who afterwards was voted the best player of the tournament.

In the first half it was all Brazil and they laid siege to the Germans goal but by halftime it was still nil-nil thanks to Kahn (and the crossbar) denying a number of chances.

The Germans came out in the second half and it was their turn to trouble the Brazil back four, but again like Brazil in the first half they couldn’t find a way through.

Then in the 67th minute Kahn deflected – but crucially didn’t hold a shot by Rivaldo and Ronaldo was close enough behind to knock it in. [3mins 21secs on the above vid] Then in the 79th minute old triangular soul patch-but-in-the-wrong-place stroked in the winner.

- There was some German fans who watched all this and have recalled that day perfectly in song form.

With thanks to Stephan Uersfeld, who supplied the following….

The group were called Herr Nilsson (which is the name of s Pippi Longstocking’s monkey) but they are sadly no more. /  If you google for that you’ll find a Norwegian band who have now taken that name. That band and this one are not one in the same. / The German Herr Nilsson lasted about 10 years and had some success. » Their German Wikipedia entry translated.

As mentioned in 2002 after that final they took to pen and paper and eventually recorded a song about that frustrating, defeated day for their team, thanks to a chubby cherub in the yellow shirt.

[See post to listen to audio] » Herr Nilsson – Ronaldo [See post to listen to audio] » Herr Nilsson – Ronaldo (Remix)

Stephan was gracious enough to take the time to transcribe and translate the lyrics – in which it mentions about Oli Kahn’s finger and about how the humidity affected his gloves that night:

“…and the torn ligament in our gods little finger/which nobody knew about then/and the gloves (yes, the gloves)/and the humiditiy/the japanese monsum…”

I forgot about that bit and immediately remembered again when I read those lines. Kahn had a finger ligament injury which was either not well known at the time, or was know but he decided to play through the pain (this bit I can’t recall). Plus all that with the gloves.

- Click to read the full lyrics

Extra Time:

A couple of bonus tracks from Herr Nilsson, the first one was the A Side of the single that the above Ronaldo track was on. The other was an English/German language track that was on their 2003 Einfacher sein album, along with the single:

[See post to listen to audio]» Herr Nilsson – Die Vitamin B Werke

[See post to listen to audio] » Herr Nilsson – The World Needs Me

» This is one of many documentaries about the man. It has a English (UK) voice-over but he uses the term “soccer” and I get the impression after watching that it was made for the North American market.
It is from a series of profiles on various players: “Soccer Superstars” and this one is Pele – The King.

Click on the image to view via Google Video:

» Link to video
(This is hosted on Joost. Not sure if you’ll need to download some software to watch. Video expires in 1 month)

Via the Beeb – a Storyville documentary about O Rei and Garrincha:

“Pele and Garrincha are both footballing legends in Brazil. Using archive footage, Gods of Brazil tells the story of these two men and explains how one became the World’s Greatest Footballer and the other died a broken alcoholic at the age of 49.”

Video:

Lastly a rare video of Pele scoring his 1000th goal:

Found via Sagger Makers Social Club, which has become a regular distraction to me of late.
More about and from there another time.

Firstly a couple of curios from him. They are only snippets but still worth a listen.

– This is a very rough recording from what could be from one of his documentaries. It is Edson singing along with some kids: “I like to be the best”

[See post to listen to audio] » Pele with the Young Giants – I Like To Be The Best

- Since the season seems to be upon us (earlier and earlier every year), here is what sounds like a home recording of Pelé playing his acoustic guitar and in the midst of composing a Chrimbo tune:

[See post to listen to audio] » Pele – My Christmas Song (Cancao De Natal)

If anyone has any further knowledge about the above tracks I would appreciate it.

The man went one better than Keegan and many of those other singing footballers by releasing an album. Sadly because of geographical restrictions I am unable to purchase & download that 2006 release. You can if you want.

- He hasn’t stopped there though. The ex-Sporting Minister is doing his part in promoting the city of Sao Paolo (where played for Santos) by recording and releasing this video :

Found via Inside Sao Paulo:

“The former ex football player Pele has composed lyrics and music honoring the city of São Paulo. The King’s Cup recorded a video and besides compose the song, Pele gave all his image rights to the footage. Currently, Pele is one of the Brazilians most well-known in the world. And according to him, Sao Paulo is the city where he lived most of his great moments.”

“Olha lá São Paulo”, (Portuguese) produced by Zero Movies and Banda Sonora. Arrangement and Music Production: Maestro Ruriá Duprat. Director: Sergio Amon.

“The video will be part of the campaign “Visit Sao Paulo. Sung by many, built for everyone”, to be released on November 20.”

Lastly to finish off this mini-series a return to the musical king of this genre: Jorge Ben and his song about Pele, which I didn’t have at the time of posting. Taken from a compilation album: Football & Samba Groove Association featuring songs that were inspired by futebol.

[See post to listen to audio] » Jorge Ben – O Nome Do Rei É Pelé

Like every other footballer (it seems) even the best of them can’t resist and Pelé does indeed sing.

He likes his smooth jazz, but what he likes even more is doing duets. In 1969 he teamed up with Elis Regina, one of Brazil’s most popular singers and released this single:

[See post to listen to audio] » Pelé & Elis Regina -Perdão Não Tem [See post to listen to audio] » Pelé & Elis Regina – Vexamao

- In 1977 there was a documentary made (one of many) and an accompanying soundtrack album with the score being composed by that Sergio Mendes chap…

The title track was composed (as was the two tracks above) and sung – once again a duet – by Pele:

[See post to listen to audio] » Pelé & Gracinha Leporace – Meu Mundo E Uma Bola (My World Is A Ball)

But it doesn’t end there !   Coming up next: Pelé solo.

Although I should stop calling it that because this current theme has stretched into the third week now.

And to finish it off some music from and about: Edison Arantes do Nascimento KBE

The young prospect pictured above celebrating after being called up by Brazil for the 1958 World Cup.

The Brazil striker began playing for Santos aged 15 and scored on his international debut at 16. In 1958, Pele was selected for Brazil’s squad for the World Cup in Sweden where he set numerous records, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the tournament’s history, at 17 years 239 days, when he bagged the only goal of the game against Wales in the quarter-finals. Ten days later he became the youngest World Cup finalist and then winner as he took his goal tally to six with a brace in a 5-2 victory over Sweden.

» Source

To begin this look at the man himself here is the man himself talking about the man himself.
He covers various subjects starting how he got the name “Pele”, the first call-up in 1958 and talks about other players he admires and his last World Cup in 1970.   (The audio cuts off at suddenly at the end)

[See post to listen to audio] » Pele’s Philosophy

(While his birth certificate shows his first name as Edison, he prefers to call himself Edson)

Fast forward to February 1972 and Pele with his team Santos visited Villa Park to play a friendly.

Later on (I don’t know when) somebody created the following, which sounds like audio from an old Pathe News report which is stitched with a snippet of a song.

As you will hear it appears that Aston Villa didn’t have any floodlights for the match (?!) Strange because this was ’72 and you’d think they would have been standard by then.

[See post to listen to audio] » Unknown – Pele at Aston Villa

Staying in that same vein is this one (from somebody who is obvious a Slough fan) which samples the above, plus bits from the Hugh McIlvanney audio:

[See post to listen to audio] » Wembley ’73 Vs Slough Town ’66

These next three are on the singular subject of …

With this first track the singer is unknown. The song has the same title and the one below it, but they are very different tunes. (“O Rei” means: “The Great One” or “The King”.)

[See post to listen to audio] » Unknown – O Rei – Pelé

[See post to listen to audio] » Jackson Do Pandeiro – O Rei Pelé

Now let me tell you a quick story about Little Peggy March...

Peggy is an American born actress and singer who in the 60′s was famous in the USA, but then got even bigger when she moved to Germany in the 70′s. Similar to what The Hoff did 20 years later, but March wasn’t as annoying.

Whilst in Germany she tried to represent the country two times in the Eurovision song contest, but was twice denied. This didn’t stop her though having a continuing successful pop career and in 1972 she released a double A sided single, with one track being about The Beatles (“John, Paul, George und Ringo”) and the other track:

[See post to listen to audio] » Peggy March – Pele

Finally for this entry – an instrumental outing:

[See post to listen to audio] » Arakatuba – Pele

Lots of interest in the Jorge Ben collection, so here is some extra material from various artists who have covered the man himself.

First up is the one you know from that Nike advert – which is a cover by Tamba Trio:

[See post to listen to audio] » Tamba Trio – Mas Que Nada

- Tamba Trio on MySpace

Next one is Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66:

[See post to listen to audio]» Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – Mais Que Nada

…plus the 2006 re-recording with the Black Eyed Peas:

[See post to listen to audio]» Sergio Mendes/Black Eyed Peas – Mas Que Nada

- Wikipedia entry

There are lots of other cover versions but these are enough, let’s not talk about the rest.

I haven’t posted the Jorge Ben original, but here is a cover version which made it onto the France ’98 soundtrack CD:

[See post to listen to audio]» Daniela Mercury – Pais Tropical

Finally for now here are two examples…

…on how to take a great song and completely ruin it:

[See post to listen to audio] » Soulfly – Umbabaruma

…and how to pay a huge compliment to the original:

[See post to listen to audio] » Marijohn & The Jacks – Fio Maravilha