Tom Ze
's first release from 1968 is certainly not as unique as some of his material from the '70s, but it's a far cry from faceless. A true
Tropicalia
artist,
's material on this album runs from
traditional Brazilian
pop
to overly quixotic arrangements -- all twisted around his convoluted vocal melodies. Even early on in his career,
Ze
was taking from a multitude of genres --
funk
,
psychedelic rock
, and
bossa nova
-- and creating some kind of unheard
exotica
. This is especially apparent on
"Gloria,"
with its changing tempos, bubbling instrumentation, and off-the-wall harmonies. It's a lot to take in -- each track seems to zip by before the listener can grasp hold of it. Perhaps even aware of this,
takes a break between songs to address the listener, then resumes his zigzagging trajectory. The album also includes the fantastic
"Parque Industrial"
(which was recorded by
Gal Costa
Gilberto Gil
Caetano Veloso
on the
Tropicalia: Ou Panis et Circenses
LP). This album is a great listen for anyone interested in
Brazilian pop
music and the restructuring thereof -- yet it is almost tame compared to the found sounds, tape loops, lyrical deconstruction, and other surrealist elements that
would grow to include on his later recordings. ~ Jon Pruett