Ah, bread and circuses, panem et circenses. The phrase, which refers to a superficial appeasement of the masses, has popped up everywhere since its inception in Roman literature, from The Hunger Games to Star Trek. No kids killing kids here, though: Soul Jazz Records has (not so superficially) appeased fans of excellent Brazilian music by re-releasing the 1968 compilation Tropicalia: The Definitive 1968 Classic Brazilian Album, ou Panis et Circencis.
The album, which features greats Gilberto Gil, Os Mutantes, and Caetano Veloso, was recorded during a tumultuous period in Brazilian history. The coup d’etat that put a military dictatorship in place happened just a few years earlier (1964), leading to ruthless oppression and censorship throughout the country — but some musicians played on, mixing psychedelia with jazz and bossa nova and ushering in a new era of Brazilian sound.
There, now you’ve had a history lesson or two. Order the compilation here, check the tracklist below, and listen to one of the Os Mutantes tracks here:
01. Gilberto Gil - Misere Nobis
02. Caetano Veloso - Corocao Materno
03. Os Mutantes - Panis et Circencis
04. Nara Leao - Lindoneia
05. Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa & Os Mutantes - Parque Industrial
06. Gilberto Gil - Geleia Geral
07. Gal Costa & Caetano Veloso - Baby
08. Caetano Veloso & Gilberto Gil - Tres Caravelas
09. Caetano Veloso - Enquanto Seu Lobo Nao Vem
10. Gal Costa - Mamae Coragem
11. Gilberto Gil - Batmacumba
12. Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa & Os Mutantes - Hino Ao Senhor Do Bonfim Da Bahia
• Soul Jazz: http://www.souljazzrecords.co.uk
More about: Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Os Mutantes
