Various - Psychedelic Pernambuco

  by Maarten Schiethart

published: 13 / 9 / 2011

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Review

Gone Brazil or Spain as it were; from Poland Street, Soho via way of Brighton down to the coast, the mighty Mr Bongo label has resurfaced with this album which has been drawn from the vaults of the music library of Brazil from 1968. 'Psychedelic Pernambuco' documents Brazil during and in the aftermath of its military dictatorship with raunchy rocking tunes aplenty. The Portuguese link between Brazil and England is clear on '8 Rotacoes' from Geraldo Azevedo and Alçeu Valença; it is skiffle music if nothing else, and there are four more tunes in a similar vein to prove the point. Marconi Notaro, however, adds John Fahey and Leo Kottke snareplay. 'Psychedelic Pernambuco' is nothing if not diverse. The psychedelic recording techniques used on 'Mister Misterio' give a false impression. Lula Côrtes is the second most prominent musician here after Geraldo Azevedo, and is a Latin Elvis or Buddy Holly. The compilation pretty much is built around señores Azevedo, Côrtes and Notaro. The psychedelia on these 19 tracks far exceeds the sounds that were heard outside Brazil. '8 Rotacoes' even features very early scratching 'Psychedelic Pernambuco' stands testament to the challenge and adventure of Brazil's 1960's psychedelic music. Outlawed for over forty years, this album more than makes up for it.

Track Listing:-

1 Sorriso Selvagem
2 O Tempo
3 8 Rotacoes
4 Antropologica
5 Mister Misterio
6 Nordeste Oriental
7 Novena
8 Bahjan - Oração Para Shiva
9 Maracatu
10 Bailado Das Muscarias
11 Desespêro
12 Noite Prêta
13 Fidelidade
14 Planetario
15 Ah Vida Avida
16 Marácas De Fogo
17 Virgem Virginia
18 Alegro Piradíssimo
19 Beira Mar