Last week my good friend Seth Herman – Rootfire Kung-Fu Master – asked me if I would like to contribute a weekly Futbol and Music column for the Rootfire Summer Camp Blog. Heck Yes, I Said! I am thrilled in being asked to contribute to the Rootfire Fellowship, and am very excited to write about my two favorite things on Earth: Music and Futbol.

FUTBOL
To jump right in, this weekʼs recommended games are focused on the FIFA Confederations Cup, taking place in Brazil until June 30. This is a World Cup 2014 tune-up, for seven federation representatives: Japan, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Nigeria, Tahiti, Uruguay, and tournament hostsʼ Brazil.

This afternoon: Monday, June 17 – features an incredible clash between Nigeria and Tahiti. The Super Eagles have seventeen players on their roster who play in the European Leagues, while Tahiti is comprised of Amateurs, Skilled Laborers and a Milk Man. Tahitiʼs starting eleven is likely to feature four members of the Tehau Family: Twin Brothers Alvin and Lorenzo, with older brother Jonathan and cousin Teaonui. I love this type of story and match, and canʼt help but support the minnows in almost every circumstance. Team Fenua isnʼt expected to win any matches, but I believe they can score a goal, and that would be a beautiful thing for their country and team.

Next up: please mark your calendar for Saturday, June 22 to witness a vital Heavyweight Clash between Italy and Brazil. These two National Sides last met in March of this year at a Friendly in Geneva; and the result was not resolved, a 2 – 2 draw. These teams have had Classic World Cup Battles: 1994 (Final), 1982 (Second Round), 1978 (Third Place), 1970 (Final), and 1938 (Semi-Final). Azzurri v. Seleção. Do not miss this match. #TheBeautifulGame

**UPDATE [11:08am June 18,2013] : Shortly, we will discuss the current protests in Brazil :  What began as a Bus Fare Increase, metamorphsized itself into the very large protest of inequity by the Brazilian people .  This is just beginning .

http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/matches/calendar.html

MUSIC
#TheBeautifulMusic : The Roots Music Artist of Inspiration this week is Brazilian multi-instrumentalist and composer Arthur Verocai and his incredible 1972 self-titled album. This record is a beautiful amalgamation of Bossa, Funk, Soul, Jazz, Psych, and Easy Listening. The music was experimental at the time, and lyrically subversive – using figurative language that was overlooked by the Brazilian Censorship Bureau. This is essentially his only album from this period, as the other albums in his discography were released in the 2000ʼs. This record is very cinematic in nature, and could easily soundtrack several films from this era and beyond. The LP was a forgotten recording in America until a few Hip-Hop producers began nicking samples. Ludarcris and MF Doom have both pulled from this Brazilian Genius.

Verocaiʼs opus is the perfect accompaniment for any event or gathering. Hanging, Cooking, Kicking, Gaming, Chilling. Absorb the Arthur Verocai. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKWFr9upIuU

Please Enjoy the Music and Matches! See you next week.

By DJ Evil Vince @evilvincephoto

Click to view larger interactive calendar