One of the best Brazilian albums of the late 1960s
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 09/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great acclaim should go to Dusty Groove mailorder for reissuing this classic Brazilian psychedelic gem, one of the clear highpoints of the late-1960s tropicalia era. While this edition doesn't include any bonus tracks, it does have a great sound mix -- indeed, it sounds better than the now out-of-print Brazilian CD editions from the 1990s. This is an excellent album, with some of Jorge Ben's best guitar work and catchiest songs, many of which often make it onto best-of compilations. Wildly inventive, syncretic, experimental pop music, ranging from San Francisco-sound psychedelia to spaghetti western schmaltz, and deep, heavy samba-soul: if you want to plunge into Brazilian rock and pop and want to start with the very best stuff, this is where to start. Highly recommended! (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Brazilian Music Guide)"
Best Brazillian record of all time!
A. Elbaz | Calgary, Canada | 09/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hold a conch up to your ear and you'll hear the ocean. Listen to Jorge Ben (1969) and you'll be transported to Brasil. Hands down, one of the best albums in the history of the country.
The music is rock-fueled samba. Words cannot describe it's awesomeness, but I'll try - catchy, buoyant, melodic and trippy with incredible vocals. And it still sounds fresh, even after fourty years. Buy it now, reader. I command you."
Jorge Ben (1969, Philips/Mercury)
LWNORWAY | MI | 08/27/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jorge Ben's sixth album happens to be one of the five most flawless albums of this man's career. If I had to pick one album from this man to be the greatest, it is this one. This album was released on CD twice before in Brazil and Switzerland and has quickly went out of print and has been out of print for almost 15 years. In 1967, Jorge Ben had recorded "O Bidu/Silencio no Brooklin", an album that he recorded when he temporarily left Philips records. He had came back to his home recording company in 1969 after being influenced by Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, both founders of The Tropicalia Movement. Although their lyrics were considered racy, political and filled with subliminal messages, Jorge Ben's lyrics were different than theirs. Although Jorge's lyrics are esoteric from time to time and are mostly about life, love and black power, he never really got political with his music, with the exception of "Charles, Anjo 45" (a Robin Hood like song about how urban communities have been plagued with drugs and drug use). Yet, some of the lyrics in songs like "Pais Tropical" and "Charles, Anjo 45" were investigated by the Brazilian government.
This album's arrangement was conducted by Rogerio Duarte, who also had arranged 1969 albums for Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso. Most of the musical arrangement consists of island/tropical music, blended in with jazz, soul and R&B. This is the album that had escalated Jorge Ben's career, brought him attention worldwide and is one of the most copied albums in Brazilian music history. An album that's full of energy, the greatness in here led to a hectic schedule that Jorge had to keep up. Most of the albums he has done after this until 1975 were relaxed and breezy, as a result. It's as if Jorge went out of his way to make the most exuberant, gorgeous Brazilian album that would never tarnish or play out.
Dusty Groove has done an excellent job reissuing this album on CD. Not only are the original artworks intact, but there are new liner notes written in 2008!
ESSENTIAL TRACKS: "Domingas", "Cade Tereza", "Barbarella", "Descobri Que So um Anjo", "Que Pena", "Charles, Anjo 45""
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1