Azymuth | Demos 1973-75 / Limited Record Store Day 7"

Release date: 13th April 2019 (RSD) | Formats: Vinyl 7" | Cat No: JD45

A: Castelo (Version 1) | B: Juntos Mais Uma Vez

For a special one-off Record Store Day release, we are extremely proud to present two previously unreleased and unheard tracks from the formative years of Brazil’s iconic jazz-funk titans. Recorded between 1973-75 at the late great keyboard maestro José Roberto Bertrami’s home studio in Rio, the demos are a mesmerising document of the futuristic sound Bertrami, Ivan Conti (drums), Alex Malheiros (bass) and Ariovaldo Contesini (percussion) were developing before going on to release their cult favourite, self-titled debut with Som Livre.

With a huge opening 8-bar drum break, and Bertrami’s keyboard spaceship including Arp Solina Strings, Fender Rhodes 88, and a Clavinet with Wah Wah, ‘Castelo (Version 1)’ captures Azymuth’s alien space-funk sound in its rawest, most progressive form. ‘Juntos Mais Uma Vez’ on the B side is an enormous instrumental soul ballad, which ebbs and flows with heart-wrenching Hammond organ melodies, punctuated by the low-slung, deep groove of Brazil’s most beloved rhythm section.

Following this special limited edition 7” for Record Store Day will be a two volume LP release comprising a comprehensive archive of some of the samba-jazz-funk mavericks’ wildest, unreleased early music.

The best care has been taken in restoring and mastering these recordings from the original cassette tapes, given to Far Out founder Joe Davis by Bertrami at Azymuth’s first studio sessions for the label back in 1995.

The record will be available on Record Store Day, 13th April from selected participating stores. Find an RSD participating store near you HERE.