Sorry it's a bit late, but here's what Anticipation sent my way...
Flaviola e o Bando do Sol - Flaviola e o Bando do Sol
A 1974, fairly short record of psychedelic folk straight from Brazil. Naturally then, the lyrics aren't really something I can make a very interesting comment on. I'd be lying if I said I knew a thing about this band - the fact that the write-up on their LastFM page is in Portuguese should give you some idea of how obscure this stuff is. Basically, it's something I'd never have had a chance of coming across before I did via this thread.
And that's why I keep bothering with this thread as, a lot like going onto some random blog and picking out albums by artists that you've never heard a peep in your life, it's a gamble in a music-hoarding sense, and one that's paid off for me again. Absolutely lovely album this. As I've said before in a few places around here, the thing that makes vocal world music (for want of a better phrase) break through the language barrier is when the rest of the music leaves its mark. It's something that the very best albums from around the world manage to do, and that's what's achieved here. The kind of harsh-sounding, more gritty opening is a bit misleading as an album opener, as the rest of it focuses musically on some simply spellbinding sonic textures conjured by some fantastic work on the acoustic guitars (kind of treading a fine line between rock and classical guitar styles here), and how they're backed up and given a more psychedelic edge by the heavy use of flutes and woodwind throughout the album. Vocals are used very sparsely but, as and when they're employed, they just melt into the sonic picture.
Remarkable album this. It's sunk in a bit since I first listened to it, but it's something that's quality unravels with repeated listenings. Anyway, thanks Anticipations - nice one
