In the late 1960s the vocal-instrumental collective Os Novos Baianos took shape in Salvador, Bahia, where Paulinho Boca de Cantor handled vocals and pandeiro, Morais Moreira supplied vocals and violão, Baby Consuelo—later known as Baby do Brasil—managed vocals and percussion, and Luís Galvão served as principal lyricist; their efforts proved decisive in merging rock with Brazilian folk traditions and thereby shaping MPB. Pepeu and his brother Jorginho Gomes had previously belonged to Os Leifs. Early in 1969 Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso asked Pepeu to support their final Barra 69 presentation; the still-obscure Os Novos Baianos encountered Os Leifs at that event and suggested a joint appearance, capitalizing on the instrumental strengths of both ensembles. Consequently Os Leifs opened for Os Novos Baianos at the 1969 Southeast engagement Desembarque Dos Bichos Depois do Dilúvio.
Os Novos Baianos issued their debut album, E Ferro Na Boneca!, in 1970, featuring the track “De Vera.” Following a 1971 collaboration with João Gilberto, the group immersed itself in Brazilian musical traditions during 1972, an investigation that informed the second LP, Acabou Chorare—a landmark release within the MPB movement that also incorporated choro, frevo, samba, and additional styles. They went on to record the album Novos Baianos F.C. before disbanding in 1978, each member pursuing an independent path. In 1997 Baby do Brasil, Pepeu, Morais Moreira, and Paulinho Boca de Cantor reconvened to assist with Luís Galvão’s book Anos 70: Novos e Baianos and to mark Moreira’s fiftieth birthday; Galvão joined them for the subsequent Polygram release Infinito Circular (1997). The group’s chief lyricist, Luís Galvão, passed away in São Paulo, Brazil, on October 22, 2022, at the age of 87.
