Pernambuco: The Hub of Brazilian Psych-Rock

Like many, my introduction to the wonders of Brazilian psychedelia came through the sadly short-lived Tropicália movement of the late 60’s. This led to an obsession with everything Tom Zé, Os Novos Baianos, Milton Nascimento and Arthur Verocai. Lately I’ve became transfixed by another limited set of Brazilian-Psych records independently produced in the mid-70’s by a group of musicians operating in Brazil’s North-Eastern region.

Alceu Valença & Geraldo Azevedo – Quadrafônico (1972)



Though not linked with the Recife-Psych scene that birthed the other records below, Quadrafônico’s creators (both hailing from Pernambuco) crafted a unique mix of understated regional folk and avant-flair helped in no end by the production of genius composer Rogério Duprat (responsible for arranging many of the landmark Tropicália records).



Satwa – Satwa (1973)



The first release proper from the Recife-Psych scene is an absolutely mesmerising sun-drenched dream. Scene figurehead Lula Côrtes leads us through a world of wordless angelic vocals, rhythmically pulsating acoustic ragas, blasts of fuzz-toned guitar and gorgeous sitar-led montages.



Marconi Notaro – No Sub Reino dos Metazoários (1973)



Legendary lost masterpiece from poet Marconi Notaro accompanied by friends including Lula Côrtes. This album is all over the place, lo-fi effects soaked passages sit next to wah-drenched psych-rockers, trance-inducing funk and free-form poetry.



Flaviola E O Bando Do Sol - Flaviola E O Bando Do Sol (1974)



This is far more of an understated, intimate and minimal affair than most of the album’s listed here. For that reason it is perhaps the most accessible entry point however the sounds herein contained are full of interesting touches and inspired production like cellophane crinkled into the microphone as percussion. A Brazilian psych-folk landmark as essential as Nelson Ângelo e Joyce (1972).



Lula Côrtes e Ze Ramalho – Paêbirú (1975)



Perhaps the most legendary set that Lula Côrtes was involved in, Paêbirú more than lives up to its reputation. First of all it sounds completely contemporary, you could play this next to any free-folk/psych/acid/jam band you care to mention and you wouldn’t know this was recorded over 30 years ago. Mixing elements of free jazz, raga rock, the motorik drive of Krautrock and Amazonian chanting Côrtes & Ramalho create a distinctively Brazilian psychedelic experience.



Lula Côrtes – Rosa De Sangue (1980)



Recently reissued Rosa De Sangue was Côrtes’ last album before signing a major label recording contract thus ending the limited run of records listed here. Côrtes pushes this album into more pop-orientated territory mixing reggae-polka jams with heavy blues workouts. Though don’t let this put you off this is still highly potent folk-psych-funk.