SOM NOSSO [AKA: SÁBADO/DOMINGO]

Folks, don't be misled by the one and only 5 stars rating for this album, which has been done without any review in fact. The kind of music they are presenting here on their second album can be called mainly Funk or Soul-Jazz, at least tracks 1 to 6. Montanhas and Neblina are more in a Jazz-Rock vein. Only tracks like Bem no Fim and the last two are revealing some ressemblance to their fantastic debut, Água Limpa being the best one.

I think their second album is more a collector's item for fans of the band or for those liking Funk and Soul, since it's containing only 2 or 3 tracks interesting for Prog fans.

In 1976 I saw Som Nosso De Cada Dia on a TV special performing Neblina. It was a fine prog song and I was impressed by what then was considered high tech equipment of the band (specially the keyboards). A series of positive reviews about their recent shows gave the impression they would release a real fine sophomore work. However, the recording company, not satisfied with the lack of sales from their first album and maybe wondering that the ´progressive era´ was on its last legs (or simply concluding the style was not marketable at all), pressured the group to include some more radio friendly songs. The aim was to reach the thriving audience of the so called ´Black Rio´ movement, where funk and soul music were riding high. But at the same time the band tried to keep their old fans recording a bunch of very good progressive tunes. The resulting album was quite schizophrenic.

Divided by two sides, the original LP has a Sábado (saturday) side and a Domingo (sunday) side. On the former, funk and soul tracks, while on the latter, it contains only progressive stuff. The difference between those sides was so great it sounds like there are two bands playing on each side, each one with nothing to do with the other. While the danceable work was not really bad per se and competently performed, it was completely uncharacteristic. A real pity, since the second side showed the group in great form, producing some of their best material of their short lifespan. Montanha, Neblina and Água Limpa, were very good tracks they were performing live for quite some time (although in longer versions). They all showed great symphonic rock with a strong fusion twist and impeccable playing from all band members. Guitarist Egídio Conde disagreed with the new direction and left the band during the recordings, being replaced by another virtuoso, the legendary 60´s journeyman Tony Osanah (both being credit as guests).

Needless to say, the plan to please two very distinguished audiences at the same time failed miserably: not only they showed enough material to reach the new market, but also lost many the old fans in the process. The group folded by the end of that year. A sad end for a very promising outfit.

Although the CD is well recorded and produced for the time, I warn everyone that this album should be heard before buying it. The first six tracks are just plain funk/soul with nothing not even vaguely prog on it. However, the progressive stuff of the second part is top notch and worth checking out anyway (unless you get their posthumously released live album called A Procura Da Essencia 1975-1976). My CD edition has two bonus tracks. Unfortunately both are the same soul styled tunes in the vein of the LP´s first side.

Final rating: something between 2 and 2.5 stars.