What is there to say about legendary Brazilian fusion-jazz and funk group Azymuth? Releasing classic album after classic since their 1975 self-titled debut album, they have been cherished and admired by the jazz community endlessly, so it’s always exciting hearing extra compositions and demos. Far Out Recordings have released Demos (1973-75) Volumes 1&2, a series of tracks that were recorded around the time of the recording of their debut album, but were never released or brought out in nearly 20 years. When English producers Joe Davis and Roc Hunter arrived in Brazil in 1994 to record the first Azymuth album in over a decade, Bertrami dug out those demos, and was amazed at the freedom and intensity of the music.
This is exactly we get from this compilation of tracks. With impeccable keys from Jose Roberto Bertrami on keys, Alex Malheiros on bass and guitars and Ivan Conti on drums and percussion, the whole sound explosive, soulful, mellow and highly complex. Composed at Bertrami’s home between 1973 and 1975, the record sounds intimate and homely. Compositions such as “Xingó (version 1)” and “Equipe 68” are stunning to me, with their complex key and drumming arrangements, with the bassline giving the tracks such a powerful and emotive groove to them. This is the case with every single track they release.
Bask yourselves in the mood and incredible energy of Azymuth’s Demos (1973-75) Volumes 1&2 and just admire their chemistry, energy and soul. Listen to their demo’s below via Bandcamp. Released via Far Out Recordings.
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