Music for All Humans
Juan Mobili | Valley Cottage, NY USA | 07/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I pondered for a bit about what to call this album. "Aclassic"? "A masterpiece of Brazilian Music"? "An Unknown Genius"? ... The best I can say about Hermeto's work is all of the above and more. I am convinced that if he was born in the United States, he would be as well regarded as Miles Davis himself. I know this is quite a ambitious statement, the kind I am prompt not to make and even disdain when made by others, yet Mr. Pascual deserves such company. Like Miles, Hermeto never stops re-inventing himself, reaching for the farthest shores of his own soul. Like Miles, it will render you speechless with the breadth of his musical vocabulary, and it may even annoy you, with his unwillingness to repeat himself and rest on the laurels of a "winning formula." This album is a universe onto itself. From the mystic to the bizarre in a single tune (check "Cannon, a lament for flute and two live pigs ... yes, really), or his virtuosity and inspiration on the piano on "Tacho."
If you honor the profound creativity of Miles Davis, the unexpected beauty of Monk's melodies, and the deep musical range of Zappa's parodies, you must buy this gem. One last warning ... don't expect a comfortable listening experience, this is only for those other humans who, like Hermeto, long to be transfixed and transformed by great art."
Adventurous, Surprising and ... Tuneful!
Roberto Imbuzeiro Moraes Felinto de | New York, NY, USA | 09/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hermeto's music matches avant-garde inventiveness and jazz improvisation with the Brazilian tradition of colorful melodies and african-based rythms. Perhaps not his best album ("So' nao Toca Quem Nao Quer" is a stronger contender for this title), but still a marvellous showcase of his abilities as a composer and player. After less than a hour of pig squeals, tea pot whistles, screams and children - not to mntion great playing of more "traditional" instruments -, you will be surprised to find out that experimental music can stick to your ears as much as Britney Spears - the only difference being that Hermeto's music is a lot more pleasant."
O BRUXO (the sorcerer) returns, well, he never really left
Peppino | 12/04/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It appears that after a long dry spell ,a creeping interest in Hermeto Pascoal has returned. Like most composer/performers of what I consider music (as opposed to quasi-musical entertainment as the mass market perpetrates),Hermeto is a hidden treasure. This cd, originally released in the early 1970's is a wonderful showcase of the multi-instrumental talents and the unique compositional style of the man I consider the world's greatest living composer. This cd showcases the trademark melding of northeastern Brasilian rhythms & advanced harmonic approach that makes Hermeto so unique, along w/ some avant guard and jazz-fusionsounds (Hermeto had been a sideman in Miles Davis' seminal electricbands ). This music demands your attention, and deserves to be heard. A welcome addition to the real music lovers collection, and a great start for one looking to expand their musical horizons! ENJOY!"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1