the project
The Brazilian jazz-rock band, Azymuth, is noted for
its infectious blend of bossa nova melodies, hot samba
rhythms, a splash of funk, and a dash of rock and roll.
On Black Sun's reissue of
Outubro, it proves
to be a winning combination. This spirited ensemble
tackles everything from the Flora Purim/Stanley Clarke
classic,
Light As A Feather (live version),
to the electric energy of
500 Miles High, made
famous by Chick Corea, to a host of spicy originals
by Azymuth leader José Roberto Bertrami.
Throughout Outubro, the musicians
travel a fine line between technical innovation and
the acoustic fury of their Brazilian heritage. Each
member of this multi-faceted trio plays a vast array
of South American percussion instruments with passion
and precision. Synthesizers, vocoders, guitars, and
electric bass add fuel to the fire, making it virtually
impossible to sit still while listening to the recording.
This music is irresistible; it makes you want to get
up and dance. Black Sun's new version of the album
also includes six additional cuts recorded live at
Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Palace, illustrating why
Azymuth's early concert tours of the United States
in the late 70s solidified the band's recording career.
the artists
Azymuth features José Roberto Bertrami on
keyboards and percussion, Alex Malheiros on bass and
guitar, Ivan Conte on drums and synthesizers, and
Aleuda on additional percussion. The group was formed
in 1969 in Rio de Janeiro. Due to the overwhelming
prominence of Brazilian vocal pop, Azymuth barely
survived their first decade because of their insistence
on playing jazz and samba influenced instrumentals.
The band's break came in 1978, when Bertrami was invited
to pen some tunes for an album by percussion virtuoso
Airto Moreira. A tour with Flora Purim added to the
group's notoriety and a few months later the musicians
signed a recording contract. Azymuth's electrifying
solos and heated percussion licks propelled their
first release, Light As A Feather (15006-2),
to the top 10 in jazz charts worldwide. Several well
received albums followed, including this 1979 recording
session.
tracklist
| 1 |
Papasong |
4'36" |
| 2 |
500 Miles High |
5'37" |
| 3 |
Swamp (Pantanal) |
2'23" |
| 4 |
Dear Limmertz |
4'32" |
| 5 |
Letter To Airto (Carta Pro Airto) |
1'19" |
| 6 |
October (Outubro) |
5'19" |
| 7 |
Maracana |
5'36" |
| 8 |
A Friend (Un Amigo) |
5'21" |
| 9 |
Dear Limmertz Prelude |
1'12" |
| 10 |
Light As A Feather |
7'00" |
| 11 |
Partido Alto |
4'13" |
| 12 |
This Exists (Existe Isto) |
4'36" |
| 13 |
Jazz Carnival |
10'31" |
| 14 |
Dona Olimpia |
2'52" |
| 15 |
Fly Over The Horizon (Vôo
Sobre O Horizonte) |
7'15" |
| |
Total Time: |
72'41" |
