SECOS & MOLHADOS (II)

4.5 stars. SECOS & MOLHADOS were a band from Brazil who had an unexpected hit with their self-titled debut released in 1973. This is the followup from 1974 but the band apparently disbanded before this was even released. First off I'm not into Folk music or acoustic music and we get both in spades here, in fact we get no less than 4 acoustic guitar players on this album and one of them plays electric guitar as well. The other issue I thought I'd have is that we get 13 songs over around 28 minutes of running time, well you do the math. Boy was I wrong about these perceived problems I thought I'd have. We get female vocals and two male singers who also play acoustic guitars, and this is the core of the band, a trio plus many guests. Piano, organ, accordion, harmonica, flute, bass and drums besides the guitars and vocals.

I have been playing this on and off for about a month and I've really fallen for this album. This band creates melodic and meaningful songs that are consistently very good throughout, in fact there's just one track I'd leave off if I could. It all works, the acoustic guitars with the addition of the electric one which is always a pleasure. The flute, piano and vocals all inspire. My favourite is "Flores Astrais" with that meaningful piano intro that moves me every time. Electric guitar, acoustic guitars, drums and more take over before we get multi-vocals. I like the vocal melodies too after 1 1/2 minutes. Flute a minute later. The opener is one of those songs that takes me to old West. It's the castanitas bringing Mexico to mind and cowboys for me. Female vocals and bass join in and I like the vocal melodies before 1 1/2 minutes.

"Nao; Nao Digas Nada" is a beautiful track with acoustic guitar, female vocals and flute. "Medo Mulato" opens with piano melodies before determined female vocals join in and more. Flute too in this catchy yet adventerous track. "Oh! Mulher Infiel" is another outstanding piece despite being a fairly simple Folk tune with reserved male vocals and acoustic guitars. Tasteful. "Yoo" is such a joyous tune and I like that bass intro before drums, guitars and multi-vocals kick in. Harmonica follows as the vocals stop and they will trade off. "Angustia" is another winner opening with acoustic guitar and tapping before percussion then female vocals join in. Check out that cool sounding electric guitar late.

"O Hierofante" is the one I'd leave off, too commercial sounding I guess. I'm just not into it. "Caixinha De Musica Do Joao" is a melancholic piece with piano and vocal melodies. My kind of tune. "O Doce E O Amargo" has a beautiful sound to it led by vocals and acoustic guitars. "Preto Velho" again features acoustic guitars and vocals, male this time with some vocal melodies late. Delirio..." is so uplifting with the female vocals, piano, drums and electric guitar which solos after a minute. "Toada & Rock & Mambo & Tango & Etc." ends it with a pretty descriptive title no?

Nothing much left to add and it's interesting reading people's opinions when comparing their first two albums as both are rated very highly. I'll let you know about the debut at a later time.