A really unique little album from
Sergio Mendes and
Brasil 77 – one that's in a much more rootsy style than any of his other work! The "primal roots" here are taken seriously, and like some of his other contemporaries in Brazilian music,
Sergio's looking back a bit, and towards a rural setting for inspiration – pulling together some especially strong styles from the northeast of Brazil, and fusing them with his soaring, jazzier mode of the 60s. The blend is a great one – and the record is easily one of
Sergio's greatest – with titles that include Dorival Caymmi's "Promise of a Fisherman", Oscar Castro Neves' "After Sunrise", and a great 18 minute version of Edu Lobo's "Circle Game", with great baroque arrangements.
(Grey label pressing in the textured cover. Includes the A&M inner sleeve. Cover has some ringwear and fading at the spine.)