Gilberto Gil - Gilberto Gil

Tropicalia alive and well and living in London

Recorded in London after he was imprisoned then placed under house arrest, and finally sent into exile by the Brazilian military government in the summer of 1969, Gilberto Gil’s second album may well be his least overtly Brazilian. It nevertheless documents a pivotal moment in the development of his future work, which would be characterised by blending pop and psychedelia with the�traditional sounds of his native north-eastern Brazil.

With Gil accompanied by bassist/guitarist Chris Bonett and an uncredited drummer on Crazy Pop Rock, the vibe here is akin to a further-out, more psychedelic Ritchie Havens, made even trippier by Gil’s English singing. Tracks include an English-language version of Volkswagen Blues (originally recorded in Portuguese on his 1969 debut), a doubtless symbolic reading of Blind Faith’s Can’t Find My Way Home, plus, on this reissue, three bonus live tracks: a suitably mellow and outthere take on Jimi Hendrix’s Up From The Skies, including an overnine- minute wander through Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Call it what you will, tropicalia, folk or plain early 70s exotica, this is never less than intriguing and frequently surreal.

Water | 191

Reviewed by Grahame Bent
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