Paulo Bagunca Ea Tropa Maldita – “Paulo Bagunca Ea Tropa Maldita” – [Discos Mariposa]

A reissue of their 1974 self-titled release, Paulo Bagun??a e a Tropa Maldita (which loosly translates to ???Paulo Confusion/Mess and the Damned or Wicked Soldiers), this album was seminal to the Musica Popular Brasileira scene that blended traditional and contemporary music styles ??? something not generally done at the time. The 10 songs cover quite a bit of ground, from being forceful and direct, to expansive and sumptuous. The sound recording isn???t spectacular, and the mixes are somewhat simplistic, but this doesn???t interfere with the conveying music-as-ritual. This is a wide-eyed view into what was happening in the Brazilian music scene and culture of the early ???70???s. Reviewer???s top tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6 (horns), 7, 8, 10.

~~Rarus Avis