An absolute classic and one of the most important albums in Brazilian music. Originally released in 1968, the self titled solo debut by Caetano Veloso is one of the first forays into Tropicália music, demonstrating the “antropofagia” (artistic cannibalism) of the Tropicália movement. Drawing inspiration from psychedelia, rock, pop, Indian Music, Bossa nova, and Bahian music, Caetano aimed at releasing an album that would surpass the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's in terms of creativity, while at the same time reflecting the new, more international, Brazil. This kind of musical and cultural cannibalism was found to be quite controversial in Brazil by both sides of the political spectrum, and resulted in the arrest / foced exile of both himself and Gilberto Gil in 1969 (to read a bit more about that exile, and the ensuing albums Caetano and Gilberto made, check Álbum Branco and A Little More Blue). The album includes the hits "Tropicália," "Soy Loco Por Ti, América," and "Alegria, Alegria," the latter of which was voted by the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone Magazine as the 10th greatest Brazilian song of all time. This pressing by Third Man Records is the first ever authorized North American release, remastered from the original 1967 mono mixes. This album - a certified classic - is not to be slept on! 12 tracks in all, recommended.

• remastered from original 1967 mono mixes
• 1st ever authorized North American release
• music label: Third Man Records 2019

reviewed by Ricky Fleece 6/2019