How did the collaboration with Martinho da Vila come about for “No Embalo da Vila,” and what was your first reaction when the idea was proposed?

The collaboration with Maz and Martinho da Vila started from a very simple and organic place. We rediscovered the original track while digging through our personal archives of Brazilian records and vinyl. It was just before Carnival and we were already in a strong Brazilian musical phase, with the Gilberto Gil remix in the pipeline. We made an early demo, a samba-influenced electronic sketch that we really loved, and we sent it to Maz as a friend, just to get his opinion. He immediately connected with it and suggested turning it into a proper collaboration. From there we decided to go all in and develop the record together. That’s how the idea was born.

Martinho da Vila represents a very specific era of samba and MPB; what did his involvement mean to you personally as French producers working with Brazilian musical heritage?

Martinho da Vila is an artist we deeply respect. We own several of his records and his music is strongly connected to our experience in Brazil. We spent a lot of time in Rio and São Paulo, going to small samba bars, learning, listening and trying to understand the culture from the inside. Being able to officially work with material connected to that heritage, alongside Brazilian artists, felt like a bridge between generations and cultures. As French producers, it was an honour and we are extremely grateful for that opportunity.

The press notes mention guitar motifs as a core element of the track; was that musical idea present from the start, or did it emerge later in the process?

In the original track there were already guitar elements, but when we started working on our version we focused first on the vocal and the rhythmic foundation, pushing the samba energy through percussion and drums. The melodic guitar idea came later. Maz suggested adding a stronger melodic layer, and he recorded a Brazilian guitarist in his studio in Rio. That live performance brought emotion and musicality and reconnected the track to MPB traditions. It was the final touch that gave the record its full identity.

You are known for Afro, Latin and Brazilian influences in your catalogue; what makes this release different from your previous work in that direction?

This release is different because it is built around a samba and MPB classic and it is a true collaboration with Maz and Martinho da Vila. It is not just a Mozambo record, it is a shared project shaped by a strong Brazilian heritage. Compared to our previous work, it leans more toward samba and carnival energy while still keeping our house foundation. Each collaboration is about exchange, and this one carries a very specific cultural weight.

Maz (BR) is deeply connected to the Brazilian electronic scene; what did he contribute creatively that shifted the track in a way you would not have reached alone?

Maz brought an authenticity we could not reach alone. His biggest contribution was the live guitars recorded in Rio, but beyond that he helped shape the structure, the energy and many details of the track. We exchanged versions constantly, reworked the bass, adjusted percussion and tested different arrangements. His perspective, combined with ours, is what made the track become what it is. It was a very fluid and inspiring collaboration.

Dawn Patrol has positioned itself around Afro-house with Brazilian identity; why was this the right label for this collaboration?

Dawn Patrol is a Brazilian label founded by Maz with a strong identity around Afro house and Brazilian culture. We have respected the label for years, not only for the music but for its positive and human energy. Since this is a Brazilian record made with Brazilian artists and rooted in Brazilian heritage, releasing it on a Brazilian label felt natural and respectful. It was the obvious home for the track.

Your music often moves between underground imprints and larger labels like Sony and Spinnin’ Deep; where does “No Embalo da Vila” sit within that wider journey?

The track sits on a label that still has an underground spirit but is growing fast and becoming a key reference in the Afro house scene. We don’t think in terms of underground versus mainstream. What matters to us is coherence. This release fits naturally with our recent journey, from Dawn Patrol to our own label Jungle Disco and other collaborations. Our goal is simply to release music for the clubs and the people while staying free and consistent.

The track connects house music with classic Brazilian musicality; when you look at the finished record, what feels most faithful to its Brazilian roots?

What stands out most in the finished record is the emotional energy of Brazilian music. There is something in MPB and samba that speaks directly to the heart. That sense of warmth, hope and positivity was the most important thing for us to preserve. We added our rhythm and our vision, but the core remains the emotion and the human feeling of the original.

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