África Brasil represented a milestone in Ben's career with his switch to electric guitar and incorporation of both Afro-Brazilian and American funk music styles into his sound.

[6][7] It was later included on David Byrne's 1989 compilation Brazil Classics Beleza Tropical, prompting rotation of a video for the track on VH-1.

[10] In 1978 British rock singer Rod Stewart lifted a melody from "Taj Mahal" for his hit song "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?".

Stewart also performed the song at the Music for UNICEF Concert at the United Nations General Assembly in January 1979.

Mazzola arranged the vocals and was the studio production director, assisted by Ary Carvalhaes, Luigi Hoffer, Paulo Sérgio "Chocô", João Moreira, and Rafael Azulay at Phonogram.