Edu Lobo was one of the leaders of Brazil's Tropicalia movement along with the immortal Jorge Ben, songwriter and singer of distinction, composing both music of startling innovation AND songs which became worldwide standards, following the template laid down by Ben.By 1970 it had become expedient for Lobo and his wife, Wanda de Sah, to leave Brazil and seek refuge in the US where they took part in assorted jazz recordings and their friend Sergio Mendes produced Lobo's first album released outside Brazil for the amazing A&M label! Featuring the cream of the A&M sounders, with the Brazil '66 rhythm section led by Airto Moreira to the fore this is a simply astonishing and assured leap into new territory. With English lyrics on some songs from Herb Alpert's wife, former Brazil '66 singer Lani Hall, and startling Jazz/Tropicalia vocal arrangements by Sergio Mendes' wife Gracinha Leporace, it's a hell of a debut. But outside Brazil, that's what it was! From his shimmering 5th Dimension-like "Crystal Illusions", translated by lani Hall and a hit for Brazil '66, to his standard "To Say Goodbye", a hit for oh so many people, to his jazz/Tropicalia/A&M Sound transformation of The Beatles "Hey Jude", the album is just perfect. The spirit of Brazil and the A&M SOUND meet head on and the result is sheer pleasure!
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