SOM MAIS PURO

This record is emblematic, the time is wrong ( early 80, in the midle od Punk/New Wave ), a singular line-up, with just the guitarrist Sergio Hinds form old and good times ( in this time, Flávio Venturini, Keybord and Lead Vocals from "Criaturas" and Sérgio Magrão, Bass and backing vocals are in the 14 BIS ( by the way a very good Prog/folk/MPB ) ) and then Sérgio Hinds invited Franklin Paollilo on drums ( ex Ritta Lee among others ) Zé Portugal on the Bass and the ammazing Ruriá Duprá on Keyboards ( Son o legendary Maestro Rogério Duprá ) Is a good work, but not mature enogh, maybe, if they managed to have a second chance with a second Album with same line-up, but, like mancioned in the start, the time was wrong !! A very good aquisition to any lover of Brasilian Prog .

After 4 years, guitarist Sérgio Hinds tried to revive O Terço in 1982. This time with a totally new line up that includes veteran drummer Franklin Paolilo (ex Made In Brazil, Rita Lee and others), bassist Zé Portugal and Ruriá Duprat (son of the famous maestro who also provided orchestral arrangements for the group in their heyday). Unfortunately it was not the best of times to revive 70´s rock groups. Ex band members Flávio Venturini and Ségio Magrão were having much success with 14 Bis at the period and not too many people was interested in O Terço at the period.

Besides, Som Mais Puro suffers from much of the production from the beginning of the 80´s: the first three tracks were obvious attempts to conquer the young hip market of the time. Groups like A Cor Do Som and others had hits with this strange mix of pop, rock and MPB (brazilian popular music). The results were ok, but a bit forced and clearly no one was interested in a second rate 14 Bis. However, the CD has its moments, specially by the second part of the disc: Suite (written by Venturini) is a fine instrumental track that they used to play live in the 70´s, but had never recorded in the studio before. It is the only real progressive moment here in its 10 minute length. Luzes, another instrumental, is a highlight, this time Santana inspired, showing off Hinds excellent guitar skills. Coração Cantador has some fine vocal harmonies, but again it sounds like a poor men´s copy of 14 Bis. Ex member Vinícius Cantuária helps with acoustic guitar and vocals on some tracks (he is credited as co-author on three of them).

All in all is easy to understand why this CD was not a hit. Only two really good tracks that were not fashionable then and a few so-so tunes. The early 80´s were not the right time for this kind of music and the concessions Hinds made didn´t help matters much. Like so many of his contemporaries, he lost a lot of credibility instead of gaining a new audience. Times were really hard for dinosaurs!

This one is definitely more suited for collectors and conplectionists. Rating: something between 2 and 2.5 stars.