Acknowledgements

My thanks to …

Chiara, Gustavo, Carina, and Fabio, for making this story possible, and particularly Chiara for her research on funk and the characters of Lapa; Benython Oldfield, Ann, and John, for opening the way; the people of Scribe Publications, for taking a chance; my parents, for their support …

… and Rio de Janeiro, for putting on the lights just when I needed them.