Azimuth (Remixes) [Remastered]

Though they had done some uncredited soundtrack work in the early ‘70s, 1975’s Azimuth was the first proper release by this progressive Brazilian trio. Government regulation had put an end to the politically outspoken experimentation of Brazil’s Tropicalistas in the late ‘60s, inspiring a return to traditional lyrical tropes and musical structures by the majority of Brazil’s popular musicians. But Azymuth were able to escape government scrutiny thanks to their low commercial profile and largely wordless compositions. But their adventurous and eclectic sound was itself implicitly political; its eccentric, afro-cuban inflected arrangements and bizarre instrumentation hearkened back to the work of socially conscious artists like Tom Zé and Caetano Veloso. Though several of the tracks here (the propulsive “Estrada Dos Deus” in particular) seem custom made for the rowdy Favela dancehalls, Azymuth were just as likely to indulge in relaxed instrumental explorations redolent of Herbie Hancock’s early ‘70s work. A real musical treasure, Azimuth has achieved legendary status amongst sample hungry beat-diggers and record collectors. Thanks to Far Out Recordings’ lovingly assembled reissue, which includes an entire bonus disc of skillfully executed remixes by artists like Peanut Butter Wolf and Recloose, this essential slice of Brazilian musical history is finally available to the general public.