O 'A' E O 'Z'

A precious jewel kept hidden from mortal ears for almost 20 years - this album was not released after being recorded in 1973 because the label feared a commercial failure. Well, maybe they were right considering the time and that Mutantes' work was far ahead the so-called 'common taste'.

Losing one of their founders, the charismatic singer Rita Lee the task to record this album fell on the shoulders of two remaining members - brothers Dias Baptista who laboured with guests and friends to achieve the feat. Perhaps, without the Lee's bias to pop they felt more secure to trail the road they wished and from which we could take a glimpse in some tracks in previous albums.

Ah! The always cited influence of Yes, EL&P and others - it seems correct but it happened for other bands and also added more power to the album; nothing to regret, instead those influences were things to rejoice. But Mutantes kept their own lines, their own standard along with the main parts of the songs. One will not find a torrent of keyboards and odd singing; they were still Mutantes! There is a good dosing of most conventional instruments: piano, acoustic and electric guitar, bass and drums; together with the whispering voices of Sérgio and Arnaldo dividing the vocals.

Title-song is purely progressive, catchy, almost cheesy, but in general very pleasant; there are references going from Ravel's 'Bolero' to Stones' 'Satisfaction', like they were showing clearly their influences.

'Rolling Stones' is more rocky and a certain smell of old Mutantes' songs may be attractively felt; 'Você sabe' (You know) is agreeable, easy, listenable; 'Hey Joe' is another reference-song, this time to Hendrix, meaning they never fell apart from the classical rock; 'Uma pessoa só' (A lonely person), a soft track that tells much about the personal problems of Arnaldo Dias Baptista, with drug addiction and mind collapses, is in reality a sad song; 'Ainda vou transar com você', despite the awful title-name - something like 'I'm gonna really make love with you', is audible and agreeable.

The flow of the songs shows a half-way to sorrow and darkness, although they could seem joyful when one isn't concerned about the lyrics and the atmosphere that probably surrounded the studio during recording. Anyway, this is an album that deserves a place in any prog music collection. Total: 4.

This is the second review i've done in just two days where the album in question was not released right away, but held back. CAN's "Delayed" record was made in 1968 but not released until 1981.This OS MUTANTES album was not released until 20 years after it was recorded in 1973. This was recorded because of an obligation to their record label to make one more album. Rita Lee their singer had just left the band and the label was not too confident that this album would do well commercially, so they didn't release it. Hmmm... holding back a great recording because it might not line their pockets, sounds all too familiar doesn't it. Although this recording is not without it's faults I was pleasantly surprised at how good this music is. Organ and bass are prominant.The organ and their sometimes relaxing sound reminds me of another Brazilian band I have fallen in love with, VIOLETA DE OUTONO. The Rickenbaker bass is monsterous, bringing to mind Chris Squire. Mellotron makes an appearance on 4 of the 6 tracks. Portuguese vocals throughout.

"A" E O "Z" opens with lots of organ before some brief Mercury-like vocals arrive. Drums 1 1/2 minutes in as a full sound comes in before 2 minutes. Check out the ripping guitar. The organ is great after 5 minutes, and vocals return shortly after that. The bass is chunky. "Rolling Stones" is one song i'm not a huge fan of, although the last 3 minutes of instrumenal work is fabulous. "Voce Sabe" features acoustic guitar melodies and percussion.The vocals 3 minutes in with harmonies remind me of CSN&Y. "Hey Joe" no not that tune, is the longest on here at over 12 minutes. The pastoral sections are done so well.The climate changes a lot in this one. Mellotron after 5 minutes. Nice. Thom Yorke-like vocals 7 minutes in as the mood turns melancholic. The last part of the song is brighter with heavy bass and vocals.

"Uma Pessoa So" opens with lots of piano melodies with vocals. The song becomes more powerful as bass, drums and organ join in. Some mellotron on this one. This uplifting passage recalls VIOLETA DE OUTONO for me. "Ainda Vou Transail Com Voce" is a cool song that opens with the sound of pouring rain and thunder. An uptempo melody follows with vocals, drums and lots of organ. An outburst of guitar 4 minutes in that continues the rest of the way, until the song ends with a thunderstorm like it began.

A solid 4 star record in my books. A hidden gem that is now available for everyone to enjoy.

As I have indicated in my review of their previous album, in which the title track "Mutantes e Seus Cometas no Pais do Baurets" was a progressive epic of almost twelve minutes, this was really the link between their former style(s) and their true progressive birth.

This album is dramatically different to all their previous ones (for the best). Huge amount of keys are available. But the one which is shining a lot is the Hammond organ. The title track is an hymn to the early ELP-ish sounds, but not only. Fine guitar work and pleasant vocals (in Portuguese) do add a "Mutantes" touch to it. This might well be my favourite song of the band so far.

The band reverts to a heavier sound during "Rolling Stone(s)". But the song is a fine mix between heavy rock and truly prog music. The best part is the second instrumental one featuring some good guitar work; but the rhythmic section also plays an interesting role in here. Keys make me think of the great Cocker cover version for "Little Help For My Friends". A good track.

Compositions are on the longer side which is fine with me. Since they are very pleasant, it leaves the band experiment a bit more with their sounds, rhythm and inspiration. And even if the acoustic "Você Sabe" is one of the weakest of the album, it still sounds enjoyable and features some nice vocal harmonies.

The epic song of this album, "Hey Joe" has a complex structure and changes from theme several times. Passing through a lot of peaceful mood. In terms of vocals, I want to stress again the excellent job performed. The whole of this song is maybe too mellowish.

This is maybe the reproach one can address to this album. The atmosphere is almost similar since "Você Sabe" has started. "Uma Pessoa Só" breaks a bit this feeling and reverts to a more upbeat music. This song is pretty close to a YesSong but still has its own merit and originality (even if the bass is very much in the Squire sphere). Another good track (but there are no weak numbers here).

The closing song is a kaleidoscope of what is available on this album: great keys, well crafted vocals, sweet passages, rocking parts and fine guitar as well. A pleasant way to close actually.

If you like the Italian symphonic genre, chances are high that you will like this record as well. This is by far the best album of the band up to this release. Their first progressive effort and I am more than happy to have listened to this very good work. Four stars. "Os Mutantes" succeeded in their mutation...

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.