Carioca group (i.e. a band from Rio de Janeiro) formed in 1976 playing funk music mixed with samba and jazz, with a strong dance music edge. Their success is based on their first 3 albums, which blended their own songs with Brazilian classics like Na Baixa Do Sapateiro (by Ary Barroso) and Casa Forte (by Edu Lobo). They also recorded a live album with Caetano Veloso in 1978 titled Bicho Baile Show, which remained unreleased until 2002. Often compared to U.S. soul / funk groups like Kool & The Gang and Earth Wind & Fire, the band developed Brazilian instrumental soul music, becoming hip in English clubs by the late 1990s.

The present band are the sons of the original members.