Azymuth - Azymuth Demos (1973-75) Volumes 1

Far Out

£30.58

Format: LP
Catalogue No.: FARO210LP1
Barcode: 827565062607
Release Date: 03 Mar 2023
Genre: Jazz-Funk

Since their debut album release in 1975, Azymuth have risen to rank alongside the world’s greatest jazz, funk and fusion artists. As young men in Rio de Janeiro, they stood out for both their exceptional talent as musicians, and their wild rock ‘n’ roll antics in the predominantly middle-class worlds of bossa nova and jazz. Their signature ‘Samba Doido’ (crazy samba) sound ruptured the tried and tested musical structures of the day, resulting in what can only be described as an electric, psychedelic, samba jazz-funk hybrid.

Before they became Azymuth, José Roberto Bertrami (keyboards), Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti (drums), Alex Malheiros (bass) and Ariovaldo Contesini (percussion) played backing band to just about every major artist in Brazil. Bertrami was also contracted as an arranger and songwriter at some the biggest labels of the era: Polydor, Philips, Som Livre, and EMI being just a few. Azymuth’s name can be found on record sleeves by the likes of Jorge Ben, Elis Regina, Marcos Valle, Ana Mazzotti and countless others. But at the dawn of the seventies, fascinated by developments in improvisational music - from jazz in the US, to progressive rock in the UK and of course samba, bossa and tropicália on home turf - the energetic young group were inspired and ready to move forward. Any spare moment in which they weren’t in sessions and writing music for other artists, they would be carving out their own sound.

These previously unheard recordings took place between 1973-75 at Bertrami’s home studio in the Laranjeiras district of Rio de Janeiro. At the time of recording, there was nothing in Brazil, less the world that sounded anything like them, so perhaps it’s unsurprising that when Bertrami presented his demos to the record companies he had been working for, he was turned away, and told in effect that the music was ‘wrong’.

One of the demos ‘Manhã’ would be picked up by Som Livre and Azymuth released their seminal debut album in 1975. Throughout the late seventies and eighties, the group released a series of now classic albums for Milestone Records, before taking an indefinite hiatus to pursue their individual careers.

When English producers Joe Davis and Roc Hunter arrived in Brazil in 1994 to record the first Azymuth album in over a decade, Bertrami dug out the demos which had sat virtually untouched for over twenty years. Joe recalls how he was “blown away by the freedom and intensity of the music, as well as the genius of the ideas musically.” Beginning a long and fruitful relationship, ‘Prefacio’ would be the first track Azymuth recorded for Far Out Recordings and was released on the Carnival album (1996).

Along with ‘Manhã’ and ‘Prefacio’, only a handful of these demos were ever professionally recorded and released, making this the first opportunity to hear many of these early Azymuth compositions in their raw, original form.

On every track the frenetic energy in the studio is palpable, giving the recordings a beautifully personal feel and a sense of the phenomenally creative vision Bertrami, Malheiros and Conti were realising at the time. Fifty years on, Azymuth’s earliest recorded music retains an ineffable, futuristic quality, standing amongst their most captivating and moving work.

Credits:

Keyboards: José Roberto Bertrami (Mini Moog Series One, Arp Omni, Arp 2600, Arp Solina Strings, Fender Rhodes 88, Hammond B3 with box speaker, Clavinet with Wah Wah)

Drums: Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti

Bass: Alex Malheiros

Percussion: Ariovaldo Contesini

Produced by Azymuth and Jose Roberto Bertrami

Recorded at José Roberto Bertrami’s home studio in Laranjeiras, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil between 1973–1975.

Issue and project co-ordinator: Joe Davis

Tape transfers by Roc Hunter (thanks to Simon Hitner)

Mastered by Daniel Maunick at the Sugar Shack, Lanark, Scotland

Mastered by Frank at Carvery Cuts

All tracks published by Far Out Music Publishing/Westbury Music LTD

PRESS QUOTES:
"I was really looking forward to hearing that and not disappointed at all... They were probably the first group from brazil that really pulled me in... What makes Azymuth interesting is that they were jazz, they were funk, they were Brazil, a little bit pshch, and little bit of rock... Adding to my Azymuth addiction!" Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 MUSIC)

"Not new exactly, but unless you were in the studio with the celebrated Brazilian funk group, you won't have heard this one before." Resident Advisor

"Absolutely incredible collection of demos from Azymuth! Be sure to scoop it up when it lands!" Music Is My Sanctuary

"collection of early demos by Brazilian jazz fusion giants" Jazziz

"get that vinyl while you can" Andrew Jervis (Bandcamp)

"Thanks a lot! Downloading now and looking forward to listen to it. Congrats to your 25 years anniversary. And thanks a lot for doing what you do. Here's to another 25 years!! Much love" Tama Sumo

"AMAAAAZING !!!!!! THANK YOU !!!" DJ Simbad

"Thanks, will support" Robert Luis (Tru Thoughts)

"so so good !!! will definitely play "Castelo" on my next show !!!" Mark Milz (Radio Corax)

"What treasure!! Thank you Far Out" Luke Andrews (KFAI)

"fucking hell, dream shit this.. what a motherload" Gamall Awad (Backspin Promo)

"Fantastic" Mad Mats (Raw Fusion Records / BBE)

"both tracks are quality...there's a real warmth to them...sound great!" Chris Todd (Crazy P)

"some rare grooves, indeed" Michael Moehring (Editor Tonart Magazine)

"Thank Youuuuu ! Masterpiece !" LTJ Xperience

"Essential material" Shantisan (Superfly FM Vienna)

"Just to let you know it took less than 10 seconds of playing this LP to have me grinning from ear to ear!!" Two Hungry Ghosts

Tracklist:
A1. PREFACIO (J.R. Bertrami/A. Malheiros/I. Conti) 4.26
A2. CASTELO (VERSION 1) (J.R. Bertrami/A. Malheiros/I. Conti) 3.42
A3. MELÔ DA CUICA (J.R. Bertrami/A. Malheiros) 3.58
A4. XINGO (Version 1) (J.R. Bertrami/A. Malheiros/I. Conti) 4.58
B1. LARANJEIRAS (J.R. Bertrami/A. Malheiros/I. Conti) 7.36
B2. EQUIPE 68 (J.R. Bertrami/A. Malheiros/I. Conti) 5.44
B3. UNKNOWN JAM (J.R. Bertrami/A. Malheiros/I. Conti) 1.58
B4. UNKNOWN SONG FOR MARIO TELLES (J.R. Bertrami) 3.52