Milton Nascimento & Lô Borges* – Clube Da Esquina

I’m no Brazilian boffin. I first discovered this album via a copy of Milton Nascimento’s Minas for a buck in an op shop in addition to a Brazilian 80s record compilation. Both are a bit mixed but have brilliant album covers and were amazing finds for op shops these days. It’s from here that I went through the back catalogue and discovered this album (his most famous) and that he is a Brazilian legend. After a brief discogs search and the prices I settled this would be a streaming album only. Even the represses are spenny! However a repress appeared in one of my local record stores at a reasonable price. Little behold this might be a boot – it is the subject of much debate on discogs. It sounds way too clear and good for a bootleg though.

This is Nascimento's fifth studio album and is a collaboration with singer songwriter Lô Borges and a Brazilian music collective. Recorded in 1972, at a time of Brazil's military dictatorship, the album focuses on themes of freedom, resistance, friendship, and love. The album cover is a photo by Carlos da Silva Assunção Filho. Apparently for years people thought the photo was of Milton Nascimento & Lô Borges but it happened to be taken from a car as the photographer was passing by. I read in 2012 the two guys discovered their photo had been used and tried to sue but lost.

Apparently this album was canned by local music critics for it’s incorporation of various styles at the time but is beloved now. Whilst it has a mix of genre’s it sounds light and fresh. Lilia - the second tack on final side is my favourite from the album and has entered my permanent collection of favourite tracks. Although I read the track was inspired by Pink Floyd, Yes, and Genesis which has left me a bit baffled cos I am not a fan of any of those, nor do I hear it.

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