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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Brilliant but needs a lot more listening

incredibly good what the hell

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.

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

I found myself looking at my watch, wondering when it would be over. It's not _bad_. The gentle Latin vibes make this pleasant background music, but the fact that my Portuguese is terrible and so I don't understand any of the lyrics make it hard to engage with the album. This is hyped as possibly the greatest pop/rock/jazz/insert-genre-here album ever to come out of Brazil, but I reckon it suffers from the same problem as nearly every other double album ever; it would be better as a more tightly edited single LP. I kept waiting for something to leap out and grab my attention. The big fuzz guitar leads in 'Trem de Doido' stand out, but much of the rest of is just... fine. It's fine, Ok, it's really fine. Nothing wrong with it, but I just can't really click with this. It's not you, it's me, OK... You're awesome, Clube de Esquina, I'm just not ready for a committed relationship with Brazilian pop. 2.5 stars, rounding up because it's pleasant.

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.

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.

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

peak. um dos melhores albuns do brasil. tem gosto de infancia.

1001 Albums Vol. 0008: Clube Da Esquina ============================================================ Introduction: This is an album that I've literally never heard of before. I've not seen anyone talk about it online, no critical reviews of it, and so on up until this moment. Hell, I still don't even know that much about it. I get most of my information from the small Wikipedia snippet that the website decides to take, yet that doesn't even tell me all that much besides the story of the cover. I generally don't like to look all that deep into albums before I listen to them as I want to go in forming my own opinion and being genuinely surprised by what I hear, and I'm going to stick to that this time. I would absolutely never check a critical review or critic website pertaining to the album I'm supposed to be listening to. If I've heard a review in the past, however, then I obviously can't do anything about that. I do still like to have some context going into an album, yet I like that context to be vague and preferably only include details as to why the album was made and what events lead up to its creation. Anyway, with that said, this is actually my first album which is not going to be in English. I use Spotify, so I'll be able to translate the lyrics on the fly, however. This album was released way back in 1972. It was actually a collaborative effort between two Brazilian artists. Now, Spotify does credit some songs to one specific artist at times, so I'm not entirely sure if each song was collaboratively written or if these two artists wrote songs solo. I don't know. Either way, I have heard that this album was extremely influential for Brazilian music at the time of its release and even now. Now, apparently the genre it helped push forward in known as MPB. I have literally never heard of this genre of music before, so I have absolutely no idea what to expect. I think that should just sum up my feelings about this album perfectly. I just have no idea what I'm getting into. This album was apparently influential, and I tend to automatically associate influential albums with being so unbelievably good, yet there are plenty of artists that have had influential releases which absolutely sucked. Nevertheless, I can do nothing but get into this album. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Track 1: Tudo O Você Podia Ser Score: 11/10 Track 2: Cais Score: 9/10 Track 3: O Trem Azul Score: 10/10 Track 4: Saídas E Bandeiras Nº 1 Score: 8/10 Track 5: Nuvem Cigana Score: 9/10 Track 6: Cravo E Canela Score: 9/10 Track 7: Dos Cruces Score: 9/10 Track 8: Um Girassol Da Cor Do Seu Cabelo Score: 11/10 Track 9: San Vicente Score: 9/10 Track 10: Estrelas Score: 8/10 Track 11: Clube Da Esquina Nº 2 Score: 10/10 Track 12: Paisagem Da Janela Score: 10/10 Track 13: Me Deixa Em Paz Score: 9/10 Track 14: Os Povos Score: 9/10 Track 15: Saídas E Bandeiras Nº 2 Score: 8/10 Track 16: Um Gosto De Sol Score: 9/10 Track 17: Pelo Amor De Dues Score: 8/10 Track 18: Lilla Score: 9/10 Track 19: Trem De Doido Score: 10/10 Track 20: Nada Será Como Antes Score: 9/10 Track 21: Ao Que Vai Nascer Score: 8/10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Conclusion: I came in having absolutely no idea what to expect, and I came out feeling absolutely moved, surprised, and shocked at what I had just heard. This album is a gem. It's a masterpiece. It's honestly a shame that this album is so vaguely know about nowadays. I did some additional research after listening to the album, and I discovered that it apparently sold pretty well back in the day. Hell, it even made its way all the way to U.S. record stores. That should honestly say something. I don't even know where to begin with this album. I mean, I guess I'll start by talking about just how varied every single track off this album is. There is so, so, so much genre-blending across this album that I honestly couldn't even name every genre I heard during my listen. Most of the time, this much variety would be a bad thing as it would make the album feel a bit disorganized, yet it honestly couldn't be a better thing here. It's a bit weird to describe, yet every song off this album, despite having different genres, all feel as they belong in the same album. This may be due to the fact that most songs use similar core instrumentation, it may be because of the amazing vocals, or it may be because of something that I don't even really notice. I don't know. Now, like I just said, this album has a crap-ton of variety spread throughout it. You may be listening to a traditional folk song one minute and then be thrown into a psychedelic rock song the next with a kick-as guitar. Point is, this album is very musically varied. I would honestly have to do a track-by-track analysis of every song to describe fully the musical tone of this album. I've done that a few times in the past and really don't feel like doing it anymore, so I'm not. Now, I will say, all of these tracks do feel musically united by a weird tropical sense spread throughout most songs. It's really not all that tropical, yet it's the best way I can describe it. I'm sure someone more familiar with MPB could do a better job at describing what I'm trying to. Nevertheless, this album's music is masterfully written. The arrangements are perfect for each song, the amount of uniqueness never leaves me bored, the instrumentation for each genre fits perfectly, the production of the instrumentation is wonderful, and many more things that I just can't say because of how long it would take. Like I just mentioned, the production off of this album is absolutely amazing as well, especially for the early 70's. I mean, this is the same year Ziggy Stardust released and this album sounds miles better than it production wise. I mean, the amount of variety here lets you have practically every great aspect of production you can think of. Subdued and heavy guitars in a psychedelic rock track, an echoing voice in a plain psychedelic track, vibrant sounds in a sunshine pop track, and so on. There was so much that went into producing every track, and the same tricks for a singular track couldn't be applied to the next because of how different every song is. Again, this album is freaking amazing. Now, the vocals are simply sublime. Despite what I said in the intro, people who add the lyrics to Spotify have to manually edit the translations in, so I actually had no idea what the singer was saying most of the album; however, that honestly didn't matter in a way. I mean, his voice is so freaking good that it alone manages to carry an emotional weight with it just by sound alone. The best way I can describe his voice is almost like something you would hear out of a church or from certain tribes. Of course, the variety of genres on here forces the singer to mildly adapt his voice for certain situations as well, yet they sound flawless in every one. Like I said, I am barely able to understand anything off of this album, yet I was able to translate some songs. I did look up some translations of songs as well, and I can say that this album has some lyrical genius in it as well. While the lyrics definitely sound better in the language they were intended to be heard in, they're still very poetic and artistic even in a different language. That's all I'm really going to touch on with the album's lyrics since I feel as if I can't truly grasp the nature of them. I can still say they're great nonetheless. In fact, I can say that about this album as a whole. It's perfect and so, so beyond its time. I mean, there were points where I felt I was genuinely listening to something from another world. There were moments where I forgot I was listening to an album made in the 70's as well. Honestly, one of the main reasons I even started this extremely lengthy challenge was to find an album exactly like this. I wanted to find a truly hidden masterpiece which many had not heard before. I think I've found exactly that. It's albums like this that motivate me to continue through this journey. It's perfect. There are no better words to describe this album other than that. I will definitely be re-listening to many songs off of this album. ============================================================ Clube Da Esquina Score: 10/10 Song Average: 9.1/10

This was a difficult rate for me. It was quite a long album and I don’t understand the language. Sometimes the message of a double LP can be lost on this listener if he isn’t familiar with what is being sung… However the musicianship broke the language barrier. Music, the universal language understood by all, allowed me to feel and understand a bit of what these two artists were trying to convey. I think their musical style was varied and mixed quite well. Between spanish ballads, poppy songs to clap along with and songs filled with deep bass and heavy guitar, this album has something for just about everyone with an open ear. I look forward to one day adding this album to my collection.

What’s not to like? Fun grooves, interesting harmonies and chord choices, well recorded. Lots of unique and cool instrumentation. I don’t know much about this genre but this seems like a good representation of it.

Strong 4,5

These two were absolutely cooking with this album; it feels so nostalgic even though I've never been to Brazil. Favourite Songs: Tudo Que Você Podia Ser, O Trem Azul, Um Girassol da Cor do Seu Cabelo, Trem de Doido, Nada Será Como Antes. Least Favourite Songs: Cais.

Wow! Just wow! What a truly cool album! I had never even heard of this guy. I know I've complained about some albums not belonging on this list, but I wouldn't have even known about this one without it. It has the melancholy of modern alt rock with the melodiousness of The Beatles...all with a Brazilian twist. A truly beautiful album.

easiest 5 till now.

J'ai hésité entre 4 et 5 étoiles parce que c'est pas ce que j'écoute d'habitude et que certains morceaux sont assez passables, mais d'autres sont tellement BANGER (Um girasol da cor do seu cabelo, Um gosto de sol), avec une vibe qui m'a rendue un peu nostalgique de l'époque où j'écoutais Mecano (même si c'est pas la même langue ni tout à fait la même période ni les mêmes rythmes majoritairement), que je vais partir sur un 5/5, j'ai grave vibé sur certains morceaux avec des instrus très cool donc je pense que j'y reviendrai. Peut être que si j'avais été dans un mood différent moins réceptif sur le moment ça aurait été un 4.

J'ai adoré, j'aime déjà beaucoup la bossa nova mais là il y avait des petites variations de genres, d'instruments, un côté un peu expérimental... Quelques morceaux m'ont moins conquis que d'autres mais globalement j'ai trouvé ça excellent, enfin quelque chose qui change ! 5/5

Brazilians are criminally underrated in the global music scene. Artists like Jorge Ben Jor, Antônio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto, and now Milton Nascimento & Lô Borges prove how deep and timeless their artistry runs. Clube da Esquina feels completely authentic, the album cover perfectly mirrors the music inside: intimate, personal, and full of soul. The singing is beautiful, the compositions are rich and unpredictable, and the instrumentals are stunning in their emotion and subtlety. It’s small in scale but huge in feeling. 9/10.

Funny this came up so soon after Caetano Veloso. One of my pandemic diversions was getting into some of this incredible Brazilian music from the 60s and 70s. This one tops the list, maybe alongside Jorge Ben’s Africa Brasil. A sprawling work from a group of incredible musicians, it’s a veritable Brazilian White Album, and honestly it’s more consistent than the actual White Album.

This right here is exactly why I'm doing this project. I have heard of this album, but I've never really thought much of it. It's one of those that I have an awareness of given it has a reasonably large presence in online music discourse, but I've just felt like I've never had a reason to listen to it. But I'm so glad I have now listened to it, because I absolutely love it. It's so accessible to western audiences, but still shows off so much of its more traditional Brazilian sound. And of course all around the vocals and instrumental performances are just fantastic and really act as the backbone of this album's brilliance.

Excellent album

An album I’m blessed to discover. Absolutely fantastic. Me to a tee

This easily became one of my favorite albums of all time

Listening to this made me feel really good.

more excellent brazilian music from this list! these songs are all so fun and lively and interesting, and pivot between genres, keys/tonal centers, and grooves with ease. i still don't speak portuguese, but that's never stopped me from enjoying these albums. favorites: Tudo O Que Você Podia Ser, O Trem Azul, Um Girassol Da Cor De Seu Cabelo, San Vicente, Paisagem Da Janela, Lilia, Trem De Doido, Nada Será Como Antes

aah endlich wieder brasilie. erste song suuuper schön meeega groovy. cais super schön und wenns uf klavier wechslet haaaammer. ich lieb cravo e canela. die höch gitarre die bitz verzerrt perkussion woow. dos cruces very spanisch arabischi (?) melodie und meeega ufbau i love it. im girasol da cor dingsbums au super schön, s isch alles sehr überleit sehr ruhig. is povos au insane schö, aber es isch etz nöd alles mega groovy und s hockt chli uf de gliche melodie immer. cool aber beheisteret mich nöd glich wie anders uf dem album. um gosto de sol suuper schöni melodie wooow. trem de doido suuuper geil so fiini harmonies und fuzz gitarre drüber de bass het soo viel platz ufff. YO DA ISCH GLAUB KNAPP E FÜFI. so so kreativ so schöni melodie so warm sanft beruhigend und mengmol brichts uus. super super.

I had never heard of this album until 2 days ago when I discovered and had listened to it three times. I was shocked to see it come up on this list as my fourth to last album having just recently discovered it. I was likely going to listen to it today regardless. Anyway, this album is gorgeous. It might be a bit long, but it's rich and packed with incredible songs. I love it.

Finally, something to break up my seemingly never-ending streak of 3 stars. Reminds me a lot of Gustavo Cerati, just without all the electronics. There's always something about good Latin music that feels both really strong and really relaxing at the same time. This album especially feels like I could sleep-dance to it. Both singers have amazing voices in their own ways and the whole album is absolutely beautiful. I can see why every Brazilian grandma knows and owns this album.

Один з кращих оупенерів на альбомах ever, просто феноменальна пісня. Чудова збірка, отримав купу задоволення. Бразильці вміють в якусь особливу свою музику, навіть в популярних жанрах. Цікаво чи розшириться далі географія в Південу Америку, чи це скоріше виключення.

So refreshing. Feels like getting out of the pool and eating a yummy sandwich, drinking super cold lemonade while the sun shines on you.

Something so raw and genuine about it. Love Portuguese language. One of the list's best discoveries

A masterpiece of quiet revolution. 𝘊𝘭𝘶𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘢 𝘌𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘢 sounds like nothing else from its time—or any time, really. Combining Brazilian folk, psychedelia, jazz, Beatles-inspired pop, and symphonic textures, it creates a sound that’s both rooted and cosmic. Milton Nascimento’s voice floats somewhere between earth and sky, while the arrangements shimmer with emotional and harmonic depth. Few albums feel this free, yet this focused—this ambitious, yet this intimate. More than a landmark in MPB, it’s a timeless, borderless piece of art. An album that feels like a place you want to live in.

Excellent melodies and harmony

Atmosphérique et doux, avec des pointes coquines. Tantôt mélodieux, tantôt rythmé. J’ai adoré

trop bien

BELOVED !!! been listening to him and brazilian music since the 80s and am still entranced/obsessed - if you don't know Milton, you are missing out, I LOVE HIM! So so many wonderful tracks of his, but this album - track 1 Tudo o Que vocè podia ser is one of my favorite songs of all time I am guilty of playing that one on repeat like 10x in a row. lovelovelove pure enchantment

This album is part of a an explosion of creativity amidst the dark days of an oppressive Brazilian regime. A new generation taking tradition music and adding new textures and ideas. Merging past idioms with the musical experiments happening around the world. What comes through is the joy of pure expression. The sound of artists playing in a room for months in end and expertly captured - the production is absolutely stellar. The double album length and concept allows songs to breath and ideas to flourish. Even the instrumental interstitials are sublime. It's empowering to hear this sort of joyous exploration that gives hope that great art will emerge even in the darkest of days.

What a gem. One of the best things i never heard of the gennie has chosen. Great stuff

Gran descubrimiento

Voice of an angel

My first 5 point go to Brazil! :) Note to myself: Try drawing along this album

Another one of those albums I only found out about because of this challenge, and I absolutely love it. I expected a banging latin album that would have me dancing. Instead it was super a chill and relaxing jaunt, especially while out walking the dog on a cool morning. 4.5 / 5

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.