Brazilian 60s and 70s musical treasures
March 4, 2007 at 10:43 am
When people ask me what music I’m into it often leaves me speechless right there on the spot, absolutely dumbstruck and clueless what to say. What might seem as an innocent question, in reality is probably the most difficult, if not an impossible question for me. Seriously, what can you possibly say that could reflect your musical interests and still be understandable for others? This is especially difficult if I don’t know the person in question too well and can’t judge his or her own musical preferences. For instance, do I tell them I like psychedelic stoner rock? They might not get the phrase. Or should I just say very loud rock? In that case they might think I like Metallica and Linkin Park! So that’s probably a bad idea also.
Often I just try to escape the question by saying I like many different kinds of music as long as it has a certain depth to it and was made by musicians who show a clear passion for their art. Hey, sometimes this even works! But other times people obviously find it too abstract and demand some clarification. In that case I try to name a couple of genres, just like I did on the staff page. Luckily people are often satisfied with that explanation – albeit a little puzzled – and if not I offer them to make an introductory mixtape. Lately I’ve discovered that of all the genres I usually mention, Brazilian psychedelica from the 60s and 70s catches the most attention. It seems that people are most curious about this genre, they often don’t get a good grasp on what to expect from it.
But what sets Brazilian music apart from other music? I am by no means an expert on this subject, but I can at least give you a glimpse of my own personal views. For me it’s the freedom in the arrangements; the rich and lavish percussion and the eclectic and ever-evolving structures of strings, flutes and other instruments. The songs are often overflowing with widely ranging instruments and many different kinds of percussion, all working together on a subtle, yet highly rhythmic groove. Soft melodies can effortlessly flow into hard grooving drum beats. There’s a positive and upbeat energy radiating from every note played even when the musical subjects are reflective and sedate, which is a nice change to the gloom of most of their foreign counterparts.
My interest in Brazilian music is only from the last two years or so. One of my favorite radio shows Hatch on WFMU has been playing the occasional Brazilian tune for the last couple of years. This, combined with the excellent Satwa reissue on Time-Lag and later their Marconi Notaro reissue, finally led me into a whole new world of Tropicália and strangely infectious and hard grooving psychedelic rock.
Hopefully I can do the same for you with this collection of songs, taken from some of my favorite Brazilian late 60s and early 70s bands and records.
- Ronnie Von - Meu Nôvo Cantar
Ronnie Von (1968; reissue on Discos Mariposa, 2006) - Paulo Bagunça e a Tropa Maldita - Grinfa Louca
Paulo Bagunça e a Tropa Maldita (1973; reissue on Discos Mariposa, 2006) - Joyce e Nelson Angelo - Vivo Ou Morto
Nelson Angelo e Joyce (1970; reissue on Discos Mariposa, 2006) - Rubinho E Mauro Assumpçao - Sozinho Não Estou
Perfeitamente, Justamente Quando Cheguei (1972; reissue on Discos Mariposa, 2006) - Lula Côrtes & Zé Ramalho - Nas Paredes da Pedra Encantada, Os Segredos Talhados por Sumé
Paêbirú (1975; reissue on Mr Bongo Records, 2008) - Satwa - Satwa
Satwa (1973; reissue on Time-Lag, 2005) - Bango - Geninha
Bango (1970; reissue on Shadoks, 2005) - Os Mutantes - A Minha Menina
Os Mutantes (Omplatten, 1968) - Marconi Notaro - Desmantelado
No Sub Reino Dos Metazoários (1973; reissue on Time-Lag, 2006)
Pictures: Eduardo Azeredo
For more Brazilian music you can also have a look at the excellent blog Brazilian Nuggets.
Your posts always bring a huge smile to my face, bubba. I’m a huge fan of psychedelic brazilian myself and this post pleases me immensely at the moment, the scope of music you cover on the post is impressive.
Today I’ve been hearing too much Caetano’s early albums and also Baden Powell (one of my favorite guitarists of all time)- I’d recommend you Lo Borges self-titled album released 1972 and reissued 2005, Carlos Maria Trindade & Nuno Canavarro’s “Mr. Wollogallu” and of course all of the albums listed on your playlist. There’s many more but I have to come back at you because I’m a bit ofuscated at the moment. Thank you :).
Obrigado.
I love os mutantes. Good post!
Carlos Maria Trindade and Nuno Canavarro are portuguese, not brazilian. Oh, and “Mr. Wollogallu” came out in 1991.
[...] Hit The Hype Machine to listen to more Tania. Or visit Moka for more Brazilian tunes. [...]
Nice post, for sure - Brazilian psychedelic music seems to often get the shaft when it comes to attention on music from Brazil. Most people tend to veer towards Bossa Nova, Samba, or Tropicalia (all rightfully so) but there’s some real gems in the psychedelic sounds that came from Brazil, notably in the 70’s.
Another artist to check out is Arthur Verocai - he only put out 1 album (self-titled) but, similar to Nelson Angelo & Joyce’s album, it’s chock full of great instrumentation with an array of trippy sounds. It’s too bad he didn’t produce more of his own material b/c it’s great stuff but I understand he produced any number of other Brazilian artists.
In addition to the Brazilian Nuggets blog you mentioned in the post, make sure to hit up Loronix as well. That blog is a real treasure trove of ‘lost-in-the-shuffle’ Brazilian music!!
[...] Hit The Hype Machine to listen to more Tania. Or visit Moka for more Brazilian tunes. [...]
[...] Hit The Hype Machine to listen to more Tania. Or visit Moka for more Brazilian tunes. [...]
[...] On a semi-related note, here’s this awesome post from Motel de Moka on some Brazilian jamzzz. Good shit. [...]
[...] Продолжить начатый последними двумя ссылками экскурс в историю можно следующими несколькими постами. Блог английской газеты The Guardian говорит о Нью-Йорке 1975-1977 годов как о самом уникальном (в плане будущего музыкального наследия) в истории сочетании времени и места: в эти годы там одновременно рождались хип-хоп, диско и панк. Kurt’s Krap продолжает начатую ранее серию постов «Эта неделя в роке» с обзорами песен, занимавших высшие места в хит-парадах на этой неделе в предыдущие годы (часть 1, часть 2). Motel de Moka знакомит нас с бразильской музыкой 60-х – 70-х годов, а Undomondo тем временем обращает внимание на то, что происходило в музыке в те же годы по другую сторону Атлантического океана, а именно, на африканский фанк и фьюжн родом из Ганы. Music You (Possibly) Won’t Hear Anyplace Else делится винтажной лаунж-музыкой 30-х – 50-х годов. The Record Robot рассказывает об певице Донне Линн (Donna Lynn), пытавшейся заработать себе популярность на высмеивании The Beatles в своих записях еще в 1964 году . Jefitoblog проводит очередной «гид для идиотов», на этот раз – по творчеству Джо Джексона, очень популярного в 70-е - 80-е, но практически позабытого с тех пор автора-исполнителя. 20 Jazz Funk Greats исследует музыку к старым фильмам ужасов об одержимых дьяволом детях; в первую очередь, конечно, к «Ребенку Розмари». ANABlog рассказывает о так называемых «длиннострунных инструментах», оперирующих на продольных, а не поперечных акустических волнах, создаваемых большинством современных струнных инструментов, и приводит несколько записей звучания этих инструментов, сделанных в 1983-1985 годах в разных уголках мира. Ну а завершим мы этот длиннющий исторический блок двумя постами в Stereogum. В одном он размышляет о том неизбежном финале, который ждет каждого «героя рок-н-ролла» - «рок-н-ролльной могиле». В другом же обращается к истокам создания той самой технологии, которой он – как и все остальные mp3-блоги, как и большинство цифровой музыки как таковой – обязан своим существованием. Речь идет об изобретении и тестировании формата MP3; оказывается, главным тестом для нового формата, обеспечившим его последующий успех, в свое время стало безошибочное и качественное проигрывание всем известной простенькой песенки Сюзанны Вега «Tom’s Diner». [...]
Now I know why Nektar tour Brazil so often. Check out their Journey to the Centre of the Eye and Recycled cds for proof.
3 persons have wrote me asking for the paebiru album. The excellent blog bubba recommends, “brazilian nuggets” recently uploaded the full lp. If you’re interested follow this link:
http://brnuggets.blogspot.com/2006/10/lula-crtes-z-ramalho-pabir-1975.html
Fin.
Hey Bubba.. thats an amazing website of Brazilian psychedelica from the 60s and 70s:
http://brnuggets.blogspot.com/
Hey… I know this isn’t a recent post but I think it’s the right place for this comment… I’m brazilian, and I think tou guys may like a brazilian band called “Los hermanos”… they’re rather actual, and not psychodelic, but they are a good band… also recommend some of the more actual works of zé ramalho. Alceu valença is also good, so is Tim Maia… And, of course, some new and independent bands, like “Charme chulo”, “Alma máter” and “Acidogroove”.
Thanks, Bruno!
Hi Bubba, great blog!
just to update your info on Paebiru, 2008 sees a further reissue from us at Mr Bongo. Available on CD and Gatefold 2XLP. Cheers, Bongo
Would you be interested in swapping links with us (Mr Bongo, we signed Lula Cortes and Ze Ramalho)? We can swap links for our blogsite (http://mrbongorecords.blogspot.com/) or our main website (www.mrbongo.com)
Let me know if you’re interested.
Kind regards,
Joris Kniep