o bando O Bando (CD, £12.50)

O Bando was recorded in 1969 in Sao Paulo by 5 guys and a beautiful singer, Marisa Fossa. The production was state of the art by the 3 top producers in Brazil. It was recorded in Scatena Studios in Sao Paulo with 8-channel equipment, the best you could get at this time. The music has sophisticated brass arrangements very much on the same level as US bands Chicago Transit Authority, The Flock and Blood Sweat & Tears with the charm and rhythms of Brazilian Exotica. Great guitars, smashing vocals, Samba rhythms, horns, tons of effects, a real trip to the Brazilian underground.