Nicknamed "Álbum Branco" (White Album in Portuguese) and originally released in '69, Caetano Veloso's eponymous second album as a solo artist was anything but a solo endeavor. Veloso recorded the vocals and Gilberto Gil recorded the guitar parts in a small recording studio in Salvador, where the duo were essentially under house arrest for defying the authoritarian military dictatorship in place at the time. The recordings were then sent to arranger and producer extraordinaire Rogério Duprat in Sao Paulo. Duprat is responsible for some of the best Tropicália albums to have come out of Brazil, including albums by Gal Costa, Os Mutantes and Tom Ze, among others. The album is considered by some to be the best representation of Tropicália music, and as such is very eclectic in sound. Ranging from Bossa Nova to psychedelic rock to traditional Bahian rhythms to tango, the album varies widely but maintains coherent, sober moments for Veloso to be at his most sincere. Songs to check out are the opening track "Irene," "Marinheiro Só," "Os Argonautas," "Não Identificado," and "Alfômega." Limited edition pressing of 500 copies pressed onto clear vinyl. Don't sleep! Recommended.

• limited edition of 500
• clear colored vinyl pressing
• music label: Lilith 2018

reviewed by RBG 1/2019