Carioca (= from Rio de Janeiro) group formed in 1976, they played funk music mixed with samba and jazz, with a strong dance music edge. Black Rio made four albums "Maria Fumaça", "Saci Pererê" , "Gafieira Universal" and "Bicho Baile Show" that were hits in the disco era, blending their own songs with Brazilian classics like "Na Baixa do Sapateiro" (Ary Barroso) and "Casa Forte" (Edu Lobo). Often compared to foreign soul/funk groups like Kool & The Gang and Earth and Wind & Fire, Black Rio developed the Brazilian instrumental soul music, becoming hip at English clubs by the late 90s. Banda Black Rio isn't associated with the revival Band.