Mutantes - Mutantes Ao Vivo (1976)
Os Mutantes were formed in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1966 by brothers Arnaldo Baptista (bass, keyboards and vocals) and Sérgio Dias (guitars and vocals) and lead singer Rita Lee. In 1971, bassist Liminha and drummer Dinho officially joined the band. They released five albums together before Lee departed in 1972 to start her own solo career. Arnaldo left the band in 1973 due to his ongoing problems with LSD, followed by Dinho and, a year later, Liminha. Sérgio Dias, the only remaining original member, led the band until its dissolution in 1978.
Although they met with limited success in their own time, Os Mutantes influenced a great number of Brazilian bands such as Pato Fu and Júpiter Maçã. In addition, Many contemporary underground or independent bands in the United States and Eurpoe cite Os Mutantes as a major influence. Kurt Cobain publicly requested a reunion tour from the trio in 1993, and Beck Hansen payed tribute to the group with his single Tropicalia from the album Mutations. Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has worked to publish and promote the groups back catalog through his own label Luaka Bop. Of Montreal frontman Kevin Barnes has frequently described Os Mutantes as his most important musical influence.
2006 Reunion
Os Mutantes (Arnaldo, Sérgio and Dinho, sans Rita Lee and Liminha - Rita Lee was replaced with Zélia Duncan on vocals) played live for the first time since 1978 at the Tropicalia exhibition at London's Barbican Arts Centre on May 22, 2006. Shows at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago and with the Flaming Lips in Los Angeles will follow.
Mutantes - Mutantes Ao Vivo (1976) - Tracklist
[*] 01 - Anjos do Sul
[*] 02 - Benvindos/Mistérios
[*] 03 - Trem/Dança dos Ventos
[*] 04 - Sagitarius
[*] 05 - Esquizofrenia
[*] 06 - Rio de Janeiro
[*] 07 - Loucura Pouca É Bobagem
[*] 08 - Hey Tu
[*] 09 - Rock'n'Roll City
[*] 10 - Tudo Explodindo
[*] 11 - Grand Finale
[*] 12 - Anjos Do Sul
Sean (Chesterfield, Virginia United States)]Interesting prog rock record, May 4, 2001
By the end of 1972, the classic lineup of Os Mutantes was no more. Vocalist Rita Lee had broken up with boyfriend/keyboardist Arnaldo Baptista, and would move on to her very successful solo career.
Baptista, younger brother/guitarist Sergio Dias, bassist Liminha, and drummer Dinho would stick together, and re-remerge as a progressive rock band with 1973's "AEOZ" and 1974's "Todo Foi Feido Pelo Sol." These lps ahow that Os Mutantes were very much influenced by Yes, and Sergio & Arnaldo would state as much in interviews during that period. Sergio's guitar expertise on these 2 lps is wonderful, as is Arnaldo's liberal use of Moogs and Mellotrons. Liminha's bass playing is similar to Chris Squire's, as well. The 2 lps were a fantastic foray into progressive rock that was hinted at on many songs of the Rita Lee-era band, as well.
By the end of '74, this lineup of Mutantes split up and went their own ways. Bassist Liminha today is a very respected and sought after session player. Arnaldo would create a few solo lps, including the cult favorite "Loki," but the breakup with Rita and his escallating drug use would haunt him for many years to come. He tried to commit suicide in 1983. He currently lives in Brazil and is out of the music business.
Sergio, however, would re-create Os Mutantes by 1976, and recruited new musicians to do so. Enter bassist/violinist Paulo de Castro, drummer Rui Motta, and keyboardist Luciano Alves. All 4 men wrote, and all contributed songs to the lp that would become "Ao Vivo."
"Ao Vivo" is a live effort, recorded in August 1976, and I assume was a typical show given by the all out prog-rockers that this band was. The songs are first rate forays into prog-rock, complete with Sergio's over the top guitar solos, Alves' sometimes overbearing keyboard/organ/mellotron solos and noodling. Indeed, many parts of this effort border on the pretentious and tedium that plagues many prog records of the day. The difference between this effort and some of the others of the era is that this lineup of Mutantes was very tight and all were competent players, songwriters, and vocalists.
Sergio takes on the bulk of the singing and songwriting, and the results show a man who had become very comfortable in the limelight. His songs on this lp, from the keyboard laden "Sagitarius," the drugged out trippiness of "Benvindos," to the out n out rock anthem "Rock'n Roll City," are wonderfully crafted prog tunes with fine solos by the lead instruments. The bass playing of de Castro is another highlight of the lp- very rock solid, with riffs inspired by Chris Squire of Yes and John Wetton of the "Lark's Tongue in Aspic" era King Crimson. Molta's drumming is similar to that of Phil Collins or Alan White.
Overall, the lp is a far cry from the Tropicalia-era Os Mutantes, so if that is what you are expecting, do not expect that. What you will get, however, is a fine slice of progressive rock that will remind the listener that not all good prog rock were created by the British, Germans, or Americans. Os Mutantes defined an era in the late 60's, and while they followed the trend in the 70's, they quickly adapted and became very proficient at it. A very credible effort.
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