Clube Da Esquina

Partly of my hope with doing the 1001 albums was to find a hidden gem that I hadn't heard of before... I think this is one of them. From my first listen, I enjoyed it, no idea of the lyrics meaning, but felt really good. Musically it's a great mix: vibrant, pleasant, upbeat, dreamy and (in places) hauntingly beautiful.

Beautifully vibrant album. Every track manages to twist and turn through several variations within 2-3 minutes while maintaining a core sound throughout the LP - it's immediately clear the influence this has had in Melody's Echo Chamber and other dream/psychic rock projects of the like. Amazing that this was recorded in 1972 as well, each instrument is layered so well in the mix it sounds modern as can be.

I've been listening to this album for a few days now trying to put into words what I feel when I hear it. The whole package is a very ambitious release by the duo. I love the mix of mild psychedelia with what I assume are some traditional sounds. I've read tat Brazilian music takes more of its influence from European and African sounds than what we attribute to a Latin American sound and I think I agree. This is one of those albums that I've seen on lists of albums worth checking out for a few years now but it wasn't until last week when I finally heard it for the first time. I've fallen in love with it. Even the short tracks that seem like they could be developed more seem right after a few listens. I'm not sure if I could pick a favorite yet, although lyrically (yes I looked up tranlations) I'd say it was O Trem Azel (The Blue Train). I will be listening to this a lot more in the future. I feel like I could keep exploring this for months and still discover more to love about it.

Never heard of Milton Nascimento nor Lô Borges nor this album. Genre: Música popular brasileira Very pleasant sounding. Nice experience. Almost bought this for $5.99 on iTunes, but they only offer the 15-track edition, excluding six songs from this double album. Am I missing something? Without a translation of the lyrics, it’s difficult to assess the artistry as a whole, but the sound is novel (at least to my ears). Some similarities to Sérgio Mendes, without the dramatic percussion of Brasil ‘66. On some tracks I felt frustrated not having a translation of the lyrics. Intricate chord structures, very nice progressions, avoiding the temptation to overdo; chiefly composed for voice and guitar. There are some tuning and pitch problems (serious on the orchestral backgrounds especially harsh-sounding on “Um Gosto da Sol”), and ‘buzzing’ on the acoustic guitar. But overall, the instrumentals are entrancing and satisfying, with great variety. Vocal quality is okay, a little too airy, weak on the Iberian ‘moorish’ fluctuations and trills, and lacking in both range and timbre. It’s satisfactory for a jazzy sound, but not stellar. Falsetto particularly weak. Recording technology not up to British or American standards of the time, but that’s to be expected. Is it me or does Portuguese lack a poetic sound? I wonder how these songs would sound in German. 😁😁 In sum, this is a good album, and I’m glad I was introduced to it. 3/5

If you liked this, check out the history of rock in Latin America documentary on Netflix. I’ve got a corresponding playlist on Spotify too. If you didnt like this, also check out that documentary and then maybe you will

This has to be one of the best unknown albums on this list. It's a double albums that needs to be a double and is not padded out by filler. I love the genre hopping between folk, psychedelia, exotica and even baroque pop. Superb in every department more people need to hear albums like this.

Rapaiz, bom demais isso daqui, dá pra chorar três dias com esse album, meu amigo.

Was okay to start with, but then really began to grate

This might be the most gratifying first listen of the list so far. An extraordinary Brazilian double album where each central idea of each individual track seems developed fully without any unnecessities. Brilliant.

Like eating delicious foreign cuisine for the first time: these are flavors I had no idea existed, but now that I’ve had it, I can’t get enough.

Didn't understand a word anyone was saying. 5/5

In the aftermath of the Tropicália movement came a sprawling yet consequential album that helped the Brazilian music scene remain fresh and forward-looking. For Clube da Esquina, and its iconic album cover, vividly captures the imaginations of Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges and ensures that they are also worthy of consideration after the wildly creative deluge (and forced defections) of Velsoso, Gil, Costa, Zé, et al. It may feel overlong at points and the language barrier is insurmountable but this is still essential listening regardless.

I didn't envision giving full marks to a foreign language album, but my appreciation for this grew as I listened. He has the voice of an angel and switches genres competently and with ease. The lyrics I looked up were meaningful. One of the songs was banned in Brazil for being too revolutionary; when you listen to it, it sounds like a happy-go-lucky flower power tune. The contrast is super interesting to me. Best track: Paisagem da Janela

Shame on me for being Brazilian and never listen to this whole album. Sure, I know some songs but listen to them completely was a very nice experience. Sometimes Milton Nascimento makes me sleepy (mainly his new songs after "Clube da Esquina"), but this album is completely the opposite, it makes me fells with a lot of energy. I don't know if this list includes more Brazilian albums or even Brazilian artists, but this one was very pleasable

I enjoyed the beginning of this album, and it was even a possible 4 stars for me. But then by the end of the (very long) album it felt like the artist was just making noises at me. I want to justify giving this a 2 with the analogy of an artist painting a beautiful painting and then finger painting all over it with the remaining of the paint on their pallet.

The production on this album is incredible. The vocals are clear and sound very close and intimate. The music itself is beautiful both melodically and harmonically. Chord structures are intricate and the songs themselves are suite like in their changes. In terms of genre, this album infuses jazz, classical, and western folk into Brazilian music to create something truly unique. This album pays tribute to earlier musical forms (like Bossa Nova) and weaves them into more contemporary styles to create a truly unique piece of baroque pop with tinges of psychedelia.

Clube da Esquina is one of the masterpieces of brazilian music. An MPB classic, with nods to psycholdelic pop, rock and some experimental moments. The vocals by Milton Nascimento and Beto Guedes are the hightlights, specially because their voices are in contrast. When this double album opens with "Tudo Que Você Podia Ser" you already know that you are in for an incredible ride and that the artists involved are in the peak of their creativity. "Dos Cruces", "Me Deixa Em Paz" and "Nada Será Como Antes" are also worth noting.

Brilliant but needs a lot more listening

incredibly good what the hell

What an absolute joy. After the first 11 songs, I found myself thinking this was a candidate for the most surprising 5 on this list. But it turns out, the issue was there were still 10 more songs to go. This is probably just nit-picking, and we should probably evaluate double albums differently anyway. It just went a little too long. A few tracks reminded me of the theme song to "Chico and The Man", which is a compliment. There's elation to be found all over this album. This was made some 15 years before Paul Simon raped and pillaged from the genre to make Graceland. And somehow this sounds fresher and more alive.

FUCKING AWESOME first 5/5 i can say with full confidence

I dug it. It’s familiar yet unlike anything else. My ears couldn’t keep up with it. But everyone should definitely experience it before they die.

Clube Da Esquina Wasn’t sure what to expect with this one - I presumed it might be in a similar vein to other Brazilian albums we’ve had like Astrud Gilberto or Machito or Elis Regina, enjoyable if not particularly my sort of thing. However it’s not like those at all, you can hear some Bossa Nova and Samba but there’s a lot more folk and pleasant oddness to it. It’s not as overtly psychedelic as Os Mutantes, but it does share some of that, as well as some more ‘Western’ rock’n’roll. It actually reminds me a bit of The Incredible String band with an added bit of Prog and Samba. That doesn’t sound like it should work, but it does, it’s great! It has a real sense of creative and artistic freedom and exploration, a kind of relaxed sprawling-ness, without self consciousness or pomposity. Reading about the time it was made, under the military dictatorship, it’s seeming carefreeness is in sharp relief to the oppressiveness of the regime. It is quite long, but it does have a great ebb and flow, I never really drifted off at any point, it always stayed engaging, even if I have no clue what they’re singing about. In some ways I like not knowing, it all adds to the curiousness and sense of exploration. O Trem Azul has a lovely lilt and groove to it, as does Saídas e Bandeiras Nº 1. Cravo e Canela I really liked, San Vicente has a very Beatles between Pepper and the White album feel to it, Paisagem Da Janela is great in that vein too. Os Povos I liked, Um Gosto De Sol has more George Martin/Beatles vibes. Pelo Amor de Deus has a nice psychedelic folk vibe and along with Lilia it might be my favourite track. There’s a lot of great bass playing too alongside the keys and and acoustic guitars, the whole thing has a lovely sway, from marching tempos to more breezy tempos. Overall I really liked it. and it’s one of the albums that makes doing this fun, it’s one I would never have heard of without the list, and it makes slogging through some of the not so good albums very worthwhile. I’m tempted to go 5 - it’s been a while since I got carried away and given a 5 to an album I’ve only just heard, and although I’ve listened through about 5 times I feel I need to listen some more, but fuck it I’ll go 5. 📐📐📐📐📐 Playlist submission: Pelo Amor de Deus

Such a great album. I wish Brazil was real.

I don’t know what he is saying, but I have no reason to doubt him. Can’t say I’ve heard anything quite like this, and I like it

The one track I really like is O Trem Azul. Aside from that, I like the vibe of the album, but nothing else stood out as a really memorable song.

I was hoping for a more distinctive sound, but this just sounded like a generic weak jazz to me.

Brazil is pretty heavily featured on this list. Outside of the English-speaking world, it's possibly the most represented country on here. Or maybe that's just my impression based on the relatively little information I had on that music scene previously. Now I've heard Brazillian samba's influence on American jazz, the Tropicalia movement's rejection of both traditionalism and right-wing dictatorship, and Jorge Ben's Afro-Brazillian style, seeming to be a representation of thinking of the "Global South". But Milton Nascimento is completely new to me. My impression listening to this collection is that Nascimento and his main collaborator Lô Borges took the energy and Western-influence of Tropicalia and attempted to turn it into a real joy of playing with no political aim. Of course, under a dictatorship, most actions are political, whether you want them to be or not and they still faced trouble from authorities in releasing this album, due to the cultural restrictions and the influence from non-Brazillian artists like The Beatles. This is simply the Street Corner Club playing for the sheer love of it, in spite of the dictator, not as a reaction to him. I find it hard to explain what is so special about this album. Stylistically, it's all over the place. It's long and sprawling, yet some songs really sound incomplete. But the spirit of the performances really comes through and you can imagine a group of friends playing on the street corner, only for the love of it.

The Brazilians never miss.

This represents brazil more the football and samba

Good god, this is great. To be frank, I didn’t understand a single word being said since I don’t know Portuguese, lmao. I think it says a lot that I still found a lot to appreciate and enjoy here. There’s so much beauty in this album. The different genres to be found here are all nice. The vocals are amazing and angelic at points. That along with the phenomenal instrumentation and performances make this such a great listen. It’s just a really fun ride all the way to the end, and that says something since this album is an hour long, haha. This is a Brazilian classic, and one that i’d highly recommend

**Clube da Esquina** is a landmark double album released in 1972 by Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges, a collaboration that not only pushed the boundaries of Brazilian popular music but also solidified its place in the pantheon of global music history. This in-depth review will explore the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also addressing its strengths and potential drawbacks. ### **Lyrics** The lyrical content of *Clube da Esquina* is a rich tapestry of poetic imagery and introspective themes, a fusion of personal and political reflections. The lyrics, written by a variety of collaborators including Márcio Borges, Ronaldo Bastos, and Fernando Brant, often explore themes of identity, belonging, and resistance. One standout track, “Cais,” encapsulates the album’s lyrical depth. The song’s melancholic tone and metaphoric language speak of existential longing and the search for meaning, with lines like “Apenas começo a achar / O cais e os domingos” (“I’m only beginning to find / The harbor and the Sundays”). The imagery of a harbor symbolizes a place of safety and belonging, yet the search itself suggests an eternal quest for fulfillment. “Paisagem da Janela” offers a contrasting lyrical tone, portraying the beauty of the everyday. With lines like “Da janela lateral / Do quarto de dormir / Vejo uma igreja, um sinal de glória” (“From the side window / Of the bedroom / I see a church, a sign of glory”), the lyrics capture the essence of appreciating small moments. This juxtaposition of the mundane with the sublime is a recurring motif in the album. However, the album is not just about introspection. Tracks like “San Vicente” and “Trem de Doido” allude to social and political unrest, expressing a subtle but palpable critique of the military dictatorship in Brazil at the time. This layered approach to lyricism—combining the personal with the political, the poetic with the plainspoken—is a hallmark of *Clube da Esquina*. ### **Music** Musically, *Clube da Esquina* is a groundbreaking fusion of Brazilian genres like samba, bossa nova, and baião with elements of rock, jazz, and classical music. This eclectic mix creates a soundscape that is both distinctly Brazilian and universally resonant. The opening track, “Tudo Que Você Podia Ser,” sets the tone with its intricate guitar work and compelling vocal harmonies. The song’s chord progression, while seemingly simple, reveals complex harmonic structures that evoke both joy and melancholy. Milton Nascimento’s unique vocal timbre, combined with Lô Borges’ more straightforward singing style, provides a compelling dynamic throughout the album. “Clube da Esquina No. 2” is another musical highlight. Its gentle piano intro, paired with an evocative string arrangement, showcases the album’s sophisticated approach to orchestration. The track’s melodic lines are hauntingly beautiful, demonstrating the influence of classical music on Nascimento’s compositional style. The production, led by Milton Nascimento, Lô Borges, and producer Eumir Deodato, is innovative for its time. The album’s use of stereo separation and reverb creates a spacious, almost ethereal sound. Tracks like “O Trem Azul” and “Nuvem Cigana” feature layers of instrumentation that reveal new details with each listen, from subtle percussion accents to lush string arrangements. This attention to sonic detail makes the album a rewarding experience for both casual and critical listeners. ### **Themes** *Clube da Esquina* is an album rich in thematic complexity, weaving together personal narratives with broader social commentary. One of the central themes is the concept of belonging, both to a physical place and to a community of like-minded individuals. This is perhaps most evident in the album’s title itself, which refers to the “club on the corner,” a metaphor for the collective of musicians and poets from the Minas Gerais region who came together to create this work. The theme of exile—both literal and metaphorical—is another prominent motif. Songs like “Um Gosto de Sol” and “Saídas e Bandeiras No. 1” reflect a sense of displacement and yearning for home. This is not surprising given the political climate in Brazil at the time, when many artists felt marginalized or silenced under the repressive regime. Yet, amid these darker themes, there is also a strong undercurrent of hope and resilience. “Cravo e Canela,” with its upbeat rhythm and celebratory lyrics, is a testament to the power of joy and community in the face of adversity. The album, in this sense, is a celebration of human spirit and artistic expression, a defiant statement of beauty in a time of turmoil. ### **Influence** The influence of *Clube da Esquina* on Brazilian music—and world music more broadly—cannot be overstated. The album challenged the conventions of MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), introducing new harmonic and melodic ideas that would shape the genre for decades to come. Its experimental approach to songwriting and production inspired a generation of musicians, from the Tropicália movement in Brazil to international artists like David Byrne and Beck. The album’s fusion of regional Brazilian styles with global musical influences also set the stage for future cross-cultural collaborations. Artists like Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and even contemporary acts such as Devendra Banhart and Seu Jorge have cited *Clube da Esquina* as a key influence on their work. In addition to its musical impact, the album’s political undertones and lyrical sophistication have made it a touchstone for artists seeking to address social issues through their work. It remains a powerful example of how music can serve as both a form of artistic expression and a vehicle for resistance. ### **Pros and Cons** **Pros:** 1. **Musical Innovation:** *Clube da Esquina* is a masterclass in genre-blending, effortlessly combining Brazilian folk traditions with contemporary global sounds. This musical synthesis creates a unique and timeless soundscape. 2. **Lyrical Depth:** The album’s lyrics are poetic and thought-provoking, dealing with themes of love, identity, and political unrest. The use of metaphor and symbolism allows for multiple interpretations, making the album rich in meaning. 3. **Production Quality:** The production is sophisticated, with a clear emphasis on creating a lush, immersive sound. The use of stereo separation, reverb, and multi-layered instrumentation adds depth to the listening experience. 4. **Vocal Performances:** Milton Nascimento’s voice is a standout, conveying a range of emotions from hope to despair. His unique timbre and phrasing are complemented beautifully by the voices of Lô Borges and other collaborators. 5. **Cohesive Vision:** Despite the album’s eclectic mix of genres and styles, it maintains a cohesive artistic vision. Each track contributes to the overall narrative, making the album greater than the sum of its parts. **Cons:** 1. **Accessibility:** For listeners unfamiliar with Brazilian music or the context in which the album was created, *Clube da Esquina* can be challenging. The complexity of the music and the abstract nature of the lyrics may require multiple listens to fully appreciate. 2. **Length:** At over an hour long, the album can feel overwhelming, particularly for those not accustomed to double albums. Some tracks, while individually strong, may feel superfluous in the context of the whole album. 3. **Language Barrier:** The album’s lyrics are in Portuguese, which may limit its accessibility to non-Portuguese-speaking audiences. While the music itself transcends language, understanding the full depth of the lyrics requires a grasp of the language or translated liner notes. 4. **Pacing:** The album’s pacing can be uneven at times, with shifts from upbeat tracks to slower, more introspective songs that may disrupt the flow for some listeners. This can create a sense of disjointedness in an otherwise cohesive work. ### **Conclusion** *Clube da Esquina* is a monumental achievement in Brazilian music, a testament to the creative synergy between Milton Nascimento, Lô Borges, and their collaborators. Its lyrical depth, musical innovation, and sophisticated production make it a compelling listen, even more than 50 years after its release. While it may present some challenges in terms of accessibility and length, these are minor drawbacks in the context of its overall artistic impact. The album’s themes of belonging, exile, and resilience resonate deeply, reflecting both the personal experiences of its creators and the broader social context of Brazil in the early 1970s. Its influence on subsequent generations of musicians is profound, and it remains a touchstone for those seeking to explore the intersections of music, poetry, and social commentary. In sum, *Clube da Esquina* is not just an album; it is a cultural artifact that continues to inspire and challenge listeners, inviting them to delve into its rich, multifaceted world. It is a work that rewards repeated listening, revealing new layers of meaning and beauty with each encounter.

Another classic. I am due SUCH a run of duffers. As a long-time Tropicalia convert, I'm surprised I only stumbled across this album last year, through some random conversation. But that's what happened, and now it is a staple. I adore the Quarteto Em Cy cover of Tudo Que Você Podia Ser, did not know it was a cover before hearing this album. But what a trip we go on listening to this. Can't adequately explain how good it is. A journey in every song. Absolutely wonderful. I like the story of the two kids on the cover too. “I was eating a piece of bread that someone had given me, because I was starving. And I was barefoot. But I never knew I was on the cover of a record. My mother will be thrilled. We never had a photo of me as a boy.” Faves, Tudo Que Você Podia Ser, Clube Da Esquina No2, O Trem Azul, Um Gosto De Sol, Nada Sera Comp Antes.

An absolutely inspired album. I wasn’t at all expecting the diverse assortment of songwriting prowess on this record, but it’s an absolute masterpiece. Leaving aside the obvious exoticism of foreign language works, this album would be incredible wherever it had originated. It doesn’t draw too heavily upon a “traditional” Brazilian sound, which really expands its sonic palette. The songs take centre stage here, not the novelty of world music. While the album is about an hour long, none of these songs overstay their welcome and they really catch you off guard with how contemporary they manage to sound despite this record appearing in 1972. It’s simply brilliant, and while it hasn’t achieved the same commercial acclaim as some other Brazilian offerings, it really needs a reappraisal.

A 1972 'música popular brasileira' record that furthers post-bossa nova elements through its excessive panning production and midtempo expressions. The distinct tonal characteristics of the acoustic guitar and delicate vocals flow naturally throughout the entire record, providing vibrant cultural visualization through diverse compositions. Contributing majorly to popular Brazilian music, 'Clube de Esquina' shapes up to be a compelling contribution to MPB through organic presentation and easy listening.

A hidden classic- well worth the time to revisit

Really enjoying this album after my first listen. Some impressive musicianship, and this Latin-infused psychedelic, progressive blend is so interesting

Pleasant, but simplistic and boring instrumentation.

¿Pero esto qué es?¿Me invento unas letras y me invento unas melodías y las uno, tenga ritmo o no?Un 1 en toda regla.

I was totally unfamiliar with this album. I really enjoyed it.

Always happy to get another World music album. I am a music over vocals guy so everything being sung in a different language is fine with me. It's mostly the rhythms that get me with Brazilian music. Outstanding.

If Milton Nascimento or Clube da Esquina as a movement were North American or European, it would be as big as the Beatles. I say this without fear of being wrong. The contribution and artistic quality of this album surpasses the revolutionary feat of the Liverpool quartet in the music industry. Musically speaking this album is much richer than anything released by the Beatles. And I say this knowing that Clube da Esquina was influenced by the British group. As a Brazilian, I have to praise my culture and leave aside the colonized view that only Eurocentric cultural production is of the highest order.

Loved most songs - only a couple of unlistenable ones on such a large album.

I felt like I was at a beach

It was a Spanish album I don’t understand but the 808s were beautiful so 10/10

My kind of jam. Calming.

So imaginative and full of life. Beautiful melodies

An absolutely beautiful album. Even without knowing the words, the music itself was so dynamic and catchy and powerful that it earned a five star rating.

Literally one of the coolest things I've ever heard. Like I'm actually floored. It's psychedelic jazz rock but also has folk and bossa nova elements too, and it's done in such an effortless way -- truly incredible. Finally something that actually belongs on this list and isn't just something that sold a lot of records in the '80s.

Incredibly easy 5 stars. I’ve been loving the MPB sound, and Nascimento in particular, introduced it to me when I was just starting high school. Just an incredible record I will never grow tired of.

Todella hyvä levy! Mitäs helkkaria!? Täyttä brassimagiaa 5/5

Allereerst raad ik een ieder aan om een deep dive te doen in psychedelische muziek uit Brasil. Wat een zalige cocktail aan Bossa Nova, proto-Dream Pop en etherische folk kom je dan tegen. Dit opereert ook aan de rand van die wereld, maar dan net iets meer richting de barok pop in de stijl van The Beatles of de latere Beach Boys. And I'm all for it. Ik kende het album van de grotere 'hits', en ik heb 'O Trem Azul' en 'Tudo O Que' al tijden op m'n radar en bij m'n favoriete niet-Engelstalige songs zitten. En dan die hoes, die vergeet je niet zo maar, die ademt 'Brazilian Folk Music'. Maar ben er gek genoeg nooit écht goed voor gaan zitten om deze vierdelige plaat te consumeren. En daar heb ik spijt van, want hij heeft nog zoveel meer te bieden dan het handjevol songs waar ik bekend mee was. Lo Borges en Milton Nascimento is een koningskoppel in de 'Clube Da Esquina' muziekstroming, zo blijkt maar weer. De writing credits en lead vocals zijn perfect in balans, en dat levert een waanzinnig dynamisch album op. Uptempo, slow burners, happy, melancholisch, jazz, folk, psychedelia, het volgt elkaar in een aangenaam tempo op zonder dat het all over the place is. Ik heb me uitstekend vermaakt. Het voelde bij vlagen als de Braziliaanse 'Love' - één van m'n favoriete psychedelic/barok rock groepen uit de 60s. Naast een soortgelijke muzikale insteek klinkt Lo Borges ook echt als Arthur Lee. Een kleurrijk album met genoeg frutseltjes en kunstige momenten zonder dat het over de top is, waardoor het heel erg organisch en down to earth aan blijft voelen terwijl je de progressiviteit echt kunt proeven. Het is nu officieel een doel om deze plaat in bezit te krijgen, al gaat dat een hele zoektocht opleveren. 9/10 Highlights: O Trem Azul Dos Cruces Um Girassol Da Cor Do Seu Cabelo Clube Da Esquina N2 Paisagem Da Janela

Amazing how true, fascinatingly simple and deep music can be. Strikes my chords with nearly every second. Love this non-tacky folk - I wish I had this on Vinyl

Beauty

Albums like this are what makes doing the 1001 project rewarding. Truly a hidden gem. Favorite track: um girassol other picks: tudo o que, o trem azul, cluba da esquina, um gosto de sol

A super long album, on which I can barely understand a word, that’s varied and doesn’t drag once. It was a true musical odyssey, and one I very much enjoyed listening to. A legit accomplishment.

One of the coolest albums I've ever heard.

Coração americano, acordei de um sonho estranho. Um gosto, vidro e corte, um sabor de chocolate. No corpo e na cidade, um sabor de vida e morte.

Дуже красивий і атмосферний альбом. Обожнюю культову класику незахідних країн, тому що вона наче переносить тебе в інший світ, повний нових відчуттів і мелодій.

This is a really lovely and rather lengthy record consisting of so many beautiful little scraps of songs that never overstay their welcome. I always enjoy it, and I’d recommend listening on speakers instead of headphones. My only criticism could be placed on the panning—during some phrases, the balance is unbelievably out of whack. For example, the music might merely consist of piano and vocals, but both elements are for some inexplicable reason shoved over to the extreme left! Still, technical annoyances like that are largely attributable to the trends and tendencies of the era in which the album was made. I can’t knock the score for such a small matter.

never hear before, positive and sounding cheerful

Track two with the heavy panning is an odd move. Maybe makes sense in context of the lyrics. First track was great though

"Clube Da Esquina" łączy brazylijską duszę z psychodelią i poetycką melancholią. Jeden z moich ulubionych albumów na tej liście, łatwe top 5. Bogactwo emocji i brzmień: smyczki, subtelne harmonie wokalne, jazzowe progresje, gitarowe eksperymenty. Ten album się nie spieszy – on płynie. Nie wiem ile razy już go przesłuchałem, ale to za każdym razem mocne 5.

Probably the most interesting and engaging album I've listened to in a while. This album is a heater. It's a Brazilian album from 1972, genre is MPB or kind of folky, rocky, Orchestra stuff. It's so emotional throughout the whole thing. I dint speak Portuguese but there is just a lot going on through it all. Pitchfork says the album us mysterious and plainspoken, haunting, and sublime and I would agree. Vocals are great, every song has some cool background stuff going on, it's just so complete and engaging. Would recommend just getting lost in it. I listened over several sessions, as it ss a bit long and my drives are a bit short, but I always instantly got back in.

listened to the first time a little after this album showed up here on dec 25. not something i normally would've picked out before but really loved. have listened a couple times more since then and have tried some other milton mascimento albums. think my favorite song is paisagem da janela. a nice christmas present

Thank you I'm happy I got this album at this particular time Favorites: Trem De Doido

Clube da Esquina is a double album by the Brazilian music artists collective Clube da Esquina, originally released in 1972. Wow, this was super cool. I've always seen that album cover but this is the first time I'm listening to the record. Super airy production on here. They really caught a perfect balance between traditional Brazilian folk (?) and psychedelic pop. It's very dreamy in places. There's even some fuzz guitar on here! A pretty perfect album to throw on and smoke a joint to. This definitely warrants further listens but I'm feeling good today so I'll throw a 5.

It's the only album so far on this challenge (600+ albums) that I listened to three times. What a captivating, beautiful and smooth album. It's brilliant that is was made over 50 years ago, it sounds as fresh as it was released a few years ago. I don't understand the language but I read it's one of the best and most influential Brazilian albums of all time. I am happy I discovered this gem thanks to this challenge.

lovely

5/5

One of the best Brazilian albums of all time. In par with Acabou Chorare.

Properly unbelievable record.

Fantastic. Loved this. 5/5

Absolutely one of the hidden gems I had hoped to stumble upon when starting this journey. Gorgeous trip from beginning to end.

I don’t speak Portuguese so I don’t know what the songs mean and I’m purely going off sound. And based off of sound alone, these songs are absolutely amazing. This may be one of the most enjoyable albums I’ve ever listened to. This is why I signed up for this project, to find albums I normally wouldn’t come across, not another best of or live version of a Beatles album. I will definitely be looking more into the artist to find out about this album and what they’re singing about. I highly recommend this album. I added so many songs to my favorites.

A landmark in MPB. A beautiful genre shifting epic.

É tudo o que poderia ser.

already knew it is beautiful, like the person sughested to me

flawless

An absolute blast from start to finish as your entry into Brazilian music.

This is an undeniably pretty record. Lots of good genre variations throughout while still being a true Brazilian record. Some jazz, samba, 60's/70's lounge and pscyh rock, pop sensibilities, folk instrumentation. O trem azul is beautiful. Nuvem Cigana is like a big band song. Don Cruces has this very dramatic build/change halfway through that reminds me of bullfighter music for some reason. The playing and the vibe is just nice. Club de Esquina No2 and Me Dexia Em Paz are both beautiful guitar focused ballads. Os Povos is very beautiful/lots of good singing/simple song structure. I think I had massive expectations with this record based on the praise of it I've seen and I'd say it delivered. It may be a little too long/too varied as some tracks don't deliver as hard or feel out of place (looking at you Um Gosto De Sol sounding like a scott walker song or Paisagem De Janela sounding like a island vacation commercial or Trem De Doido's very fuzzy guitar leads). However, even those songs are still good songs.

5 out of 5. Like a lot of these albums don't know what to expect going in but this double album was magnificent and I would consider adding this to my own personal collection. The bossa nova, folk, psychedelia, and mix of other styles is smooth and a joy to listen to.

I just had tacos and margaritas before listening to this album. I love it. I love acoustic guitars and fuzzy electrics guitar solos. It seems to jump around and not just repeat itself. I will be coming back.

Smukkeste sange. Meget livsbekræftende. Næsten perfekt synes jeg :)

Already have this in my library from some MPB cruising I did a year or so ago. A really nice album, great sounding, good vibe overall. Great collection of music from that area of music.

I've had two big double albums back-to-back - it was Songs In The Key Of Life yesterday, and today this offering from Brazil that I had never even come close to hearing of. I liked the Stevie Wonder, four stars, and did not expect this to match up. I was wrong. This is so much more enjoyable. I have no idea what the lyrics are, but the musicality is just so enjoyable that it doesn't matter. Quite lovely.

Didn’t understand a single word they said but it was still a 10

There was one part in one song that I heard when I was out gardening that sounded vaguely like the ice cream truck but it was like it was right behind me and it kind of startled me. Other than that very good and not threatening

I’ll always remember this clip I saw of Pharrell Williams speaking with Rick Rubin where he explains how much more of an impact good chord progressions have on him over fancy and technical time signatures. He describes them as coordinates that bring him somewhere. I found that really profound, and it honestly changed the way I look at music. I haven’t experienced an album that really made me look back on that clip and think about how right he was in a long time. But this managed to bring that back for me. I’m not exactly sure what it is about musicians in foreign countries like Brazil and Spain, but they understand that concept of powerful and moving chord progressions way better than we do over here. We just don’t do it as well. This album transcends the realm of just your traditional psychedelic pop album. It is so much more than that in every way. Of the ten thousand other albums from the same time period that fit under the same umbrella which you will find on this list, this one is absolutely worth your time the most. Something about this album left me a little speechless. It lies in the category of albums I really love that leave no stone unturned. No moment of this feels like it’s lacking. Even on the few songs I don’t like. It is near impeccable in every manner. I don’t know if there is any way this could be improved. I can’t think of a sound or an instrument that would need to be added to make this better. They hit every mark. The way this evolves on traditional bossa nova and is wholly unique and very inspired at the same time is miraculous. It sounds incredible production wise, and every instrument is layered masterfully. There were so many moments where a particular arrangement would shock me with how out of place and simultaneously perfectly in line it felt with the rest of the album. I urge anyone reading this to sit down and really sink into this album. It is something very special. Rating: 9/10

Best find from this list so far, by far. Absolutely beautiful, has so much soul and there is not a single bad song on the album as a whole. 5/5

Holy SHIT this album rules. I've seen it here and there over the years, and heard about its importance in Brazilian music history. But I did myself no favors by sleeping on it until now. It's a lush, beautifully orchestrated psych/pop record with unexpected twists and turns on virtually every track. There's instrumentation happening here that I've never heard. Think Pet Sounds with more flamenco guitars. Not to mention how timeless the production sounds. I'm baffled by the fact that this came out in '72. Extra points for the cover, which might be one of the more visually striking album covers I've ever seen.

Imagine zooming in on the lifecycle of several seeds (these songs)—each blossoming into a distinct, striking flower—then zooming out to behold how every vibrant participant played its part in forming a garden (this album) of immaculate, harmonious beauty.

This is the kind of album that is a bit hard to review, simply because it wasn't written for or out of my cultural context. There is much to like here for me. The instrumentation is excellent. The singing is good. But man the entire thing is just so different from what I would normally listen to. I think it probably deserves 5 stars for what it is.

Альбом очень жизнерадостный настоящая бразилия

Pretty genius.

Really cool album which is hard to describe. A very unique blend of sounds with each song providing some serious surprises.

Trem Azul is one of the best songs ever made.

This album was many peoples first introduction to Brazilian music. This album is so soothing and listenable, timeless. Since I don’t speak Portuguese, the album plays like an instrumental work. The soft lyrical singing is like a fine tuned instrument. I love this album and am glad to be reminded of it so I can add it to my current rotation of music. It's perfect.

This is possibly the most conflicted I’ve been on rating an album so far. The political climate of 1972 for Brazil underscores a lot of this album, and there’s a passion throughout it that’s so easy to feel, but probably very hard to understand in 2024 without an innate knowledge of the subject that I just don’t have. Let me be clear: I’d be a moron to not acknowledge that this is a good album. It does not sound like it came from 1972 at all – there’s an exploration of so many genres here that it feels like the album had an incredible vision of what music was gonna be for at least the next 20 or 30 years, if not longer, and it’s all carried by two things: guitar playing that simply feels timeless, whether it’s acoustic, electric, or bass, and absolutely passionate vocals by Milton Nascimento & Lo Borges that you can feel even through the language barrier. My confliction is not “is this good or bad” – it’s do I give this a 4 or 5? I feel like I can’t give it a 5 because of that language barrier, and how I don’t think I can fully enjoy the album because of that, but I’d also probably be a moron to not give it a 5 out of pure trust in how cathartic this album must have felt in 1972, and how well it’s aged into modern times; so many of the other 70s albums we’ve heard have occasionally had mixing issues or choices that clearly dated them. If we were going by 10, it’d be an easy choice to just say 9/10 and get it over with, but for a 5 point scale, I think I have no choice but to round it up, just out of respect for nailing everything it tries to do.

no notes. i just really enjoyed that.