O 'A' E O 'Z'

One of the most famous bands of the Brazilian rock scene,OS MUTANTES were formed in 1966 in Sao Paolo by brothers,Arnaldo Baptista and Sérgio Dias Baptista, along with Female singer Rita Lee,being the bigger Brazilian band to mix psychedelic Beatle-sque rock with Brazilian music.This lineup recorded three albums between 1968 and 1970,before session members bassist Liminho and drummer Dinho become official members,while this quintet records another two LP's.It was Rita Lee's departure,which had a major impact to the band's sound.This fact was taped on the ''O "A" e o "Z" album,which was recorded in 1973,but released only in 1992 due to the label's disagreement.

In this album the band sounds like an exprienced Progressive Rock one,like in the long opening "A" e o "Z",a GENESIS-ELP hybrid with Classical references and good work on mellotron and organ.From now on the band sounds like early YES.''Rolling Stones'' features deep bass work and long Hammond solos,like YES having KEITH EMERSON on keys,while ''Você sabe'' is an acoustic yet progressive piece of music with a pastoral GENESIS-like atmosphere, multi-vocal harmonies and back-up percussions.The symphonic/psych epic ''Hey Joe'' stars as more of the same,before becoming an organic track with awesome mellotron/hammond parts,YES-like multi-vocal arrangements and fine HOWE-ish guitar work.''Uma pessoa só'' is propably the best compositional creation here,built around piano,romantic vocals with soft electric guitars and dynamic organ around,a great GENESIS/YES-influenced number (also some PFM memories come in mind).The closing ''Ainda vou transar com você'' is rather out of place,remindind YES in the earliest years,a groovy track with a happy atmosphere,which could actually be only a good single for the band.

For a starter in the world of prog,this album is a winner.Of course the band didn't achieve to come up with a personal style,leaving their psych/folk references behind and tending heavily on their GENESIS/ELP/YES influences.But then again the level of musicianship is quite high and the album deserves your attention undoubtfully. Recommended and rated with 3.5 stars.