Caetano Veloso - "Zii E Zie"

There aren't many artists who could dare to use only their first names on their album covers, but Caetano Veloso ranks himself among this elite. He's one of Brazil's heroes, thanks to his experiments with the Tropicália movement in the late 60s, when he shook up the country's music scene by mixing bossa and other local styles with rock, and was considered so subversive that he was jailed by the military government.

His experiments continue. This new set, credited simply to Caetano, matches his thoughtful, delicate vocal work against sparse backing dominated by stark electric guitar lines provided by himself and Pedro Sa, who produced this compelling album with Caetano's son, Moreno. The songs are intimate and surprising, with sudden bursts of electric guitar transforming the easy-going Falso Leblon, and handclaps and funk guitar lines matched against the laid-back vocals on "A Cor Amarela".

I like much of his earlier stuff - but this is a really fascinating mixture of troplicalia and avantgarde and so many other styles. And if there is at least one Jim O'Rourke album in your library that you like: go for it !

Get it here: Caetano Veloso - "Zii E Zie" (320Kbps)

And enjoy !