Imaginary Sounds Mix 18: Brasil, Para Sempre

Finally, the Tropicalia mix!
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(download full mix) [123MB]

In 1964, through a series of political uprisings, Brazil was thrown into a military regime. Originally intended to be transistory, the military regime quickly formed into a full dictatorship. Although not as harsh as some other Latin American countries, the government was harsh when compared to Brazil's recent history. The government was not popular, and quickly the people found outlets to express their anger and disillusionment toward the new paradigm. Out of this came a number of poets, then artists (painters, sculptors) and then musicians who, through their art, expressed tolerance, innovation, and a cannibalism of world culture. This absorption of many different influences from many different cultures allowed the musicians that came to dominate the Tropicalia movement to create some of the most wholly original music the country, or even the world had seen at the time.
The musical movement, led by Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, found it's manifesto in 1968 when the collaboration album Tropicália: ou Panis et Circencis was released. The movement was immensely popular, but did not last long. Because of the political content of their music, Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil were incarcerated by the government and exiled to London. Others were subjected to torture and psychological treatment. When Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil returned from London, the scene in Brazil had changed considerably.

Despite Tropicalia's short dominance, it's influence has been considerable, influencing musicians all over the world. I tried here, with this compilation, to listen to the essentials and distill the most powerful and indicative songs in the genre together into one wonderful, and powerful pill of political and musical urgency. I hope you enjoy.

1. Caetano Veloso - Soy Loco por Tí, América
2. Gal Costa - Sebastiana
3. Gilberto Gil - Frevo Rasgado
4. Os Mutantes - Ando Meio Desligado
5. Caetano Veloso - The Empty Boat
6. Gilberto Gil - Domingo no Parque
7. Jorge Ben - País Tropical
8. Tom Zé - Parque Industrial
9. Gal Costa - Divino Maravihoso
10. Jorge Ben - Bebete Vãobora
11. Gilberto Gil - Bat Macumba
12. Caetano Veloso - Alegria, Alegria
13. Rogério Duprat - Ponteio
14. Os Mutantes - Panis Et Circenses
15. Gal Costa - Não Identificado
16. Caetano Veloso - Marinheiro Só
17. Jorge Ben - Take It Easy, My Brother Charles
18. Tom Zé - Gloria
19. Jorge Ben - Crioula
20. Caetano Veloso - Atrás Do Trio Elétrico
21. Gal Costa - Baby
22. Gilberto Gil - Miserere Nóbis
23. Nara Leao - Lindonéia
24. Caetano Veloso - Tropicália
25. Os Mutantes - Ave Ghengis Khan