Milton

This is the album where Milton starts going electric (actually in his previous album, entlited 'MILTON NASCIMENTO'-1969, there is some organ and a bit of electric guitar)- you foreigners would call it TROPICALIA, which is not really the appropriate name, but anyway...this is the beggining of what would become perfect as CLUBE DA ESQUINA (1972), hence the 4 stars.Nevertheless, great moments here too, specially the title track, guest appearences of NANÁ VASCONCELOS, Lô BORGES and DORI CAYMMI - NANÁ making contributions on 'Pai Grande' which forecast the experiences of both CLUBE DA ESQUINA and O MILAGRE DOS PEIXES(1973)- PLUS THE BONUS TRACKS!!!These are real treats, I don't know myself where they come from -I suppose they were released as a mini-LP related to the world cup (Brasil won it that year), hence the four of them being related to football: 'Tema de Tostão'(Tostão's theme, being Tostão a football player from Milton's 'homeland'- Minas Gerais); 'Aqui é o país do futebol'(This is the land of football)and 'O jogo'(The match).But the real gem of them is 'O HOMEM DA SUCURSAL'(The man of the [commercial] branch), a very harsh critique on the forgetfulness which takes hold of brazilians around the world cup time, therefore being also a larger metaphor for the 'brazilian way of LEAVING' :(milton sings)"(...)in these 90 minutes/ of emotion and happiness/ I forget home and work/ life stays outside/ hunger stays outside/ everything stays outside..."BUT THAT IS NOT ALL!!!! - THIS LAST SONG WOULD BECOME THE OPENING TRACK OF 'O MILAGRE DOS PEIXES', RETITLED 'OS ESCRAVOS DE JÓ'(JOB'S SLAVES) WITH CLEMENTINA DE JESUS ON LEAD VOCAL SINGING IN (ALMOST) ANCIENT AFRICAN TRANCE!!!!!So, if you're into Milton's work, this is fundamental; if you're into 'football culture' (the english are so poor: spirit is wealth!) or BRASIL (WITH 'S')in general, this is it.

The previous reviewer is right - the bonus tracks (available only on this Japanese import) are quite unique. By the way, the chorus on the best track ("O Homem...") has been used in several house and jazz-house tracks. Very Afro-Brazilian, with that classic Milton feel to it. The first track (Para Lennon...) is also amazing, despite the cheesy guitar riffs. Milton's vocals on this are particularly powerful.All in all, a must for MPB fans.

Listen....this is not a 5 star album. Please. It's a transitional album that merely hints at the greatness to come. A worthy purchase nonetheless for fans of Milton's peak period.