Os Mutantes - "O 'A' e o 'Z' "

Os Mutantes
"O 'A' e o 'Z '"
Polydor
Originally recorded in 1973, released in 1992
Currently out of print

Os Mutantes were one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the psychedelic era, blending left-wing politics, garage rock, Zappa-esque experimentation and Brazilian samba and tropicalia. Unfortunately their music wasn't well known outside of their native Brazil.

Led by the Baptista brothers Arnaldo and Sergio and featuring the sweet vocals of Rita Lee, the group worked with such Brazilian legends as Caetano Valoso and Gilberto Gil before scoring a hit with the infectious "Bat Macumba."

Unfortunately, that innovative band isn't really represented on "O A e o Z," which was recorded after Lee had left. Gone are the restless experimentation and the playful melodies and, with the exception of the light acoustic "Voce Sabe," the "Brazilian-ness" is missing. Probably part of the reason the album was shelved for 20 years.

But the album is exciting in its own ways. While it is lacking in psychedelic Brazilian weirdness, "O A e o Z" is an impressive example of early '70s prog rock. The result lands close to the vintage Italian band PFM, lengthy tunes with nonsensical English lyrics and intricate instrumental breaks. Arnaldo's keyboards sparkle and trill like Rick Wakeman on the title track and new bassist Limnha has the requisite fat Rickenbacker bass sound on "Rolling Stone".

Arnaldo would leave shortly after recording this album, leaving guitarist Sergio as the sole original member. The group would continue for several more years in this prog vein, but the innovation of the band's late '60s work was gone.

If you are looking for good prog rock, check out "O A e o Z," the 12-minute "Hey Joe" (not the Hendrix tune) stands up strongly with anything from the era. But if you want to hear Os Mutantes' truly groundbreaking work, pick up the compilation "Everything Is Possible," (the bulk of the band's output was never released in the States and is out of print overseas).

And get ready - Sergio has resurrected the Mutantes and a new studio album (the first in over 30 years) is due next month. How good it will be, we'll have to see.

Caravan - "Caravan"

Caravan
"Caravan"
Verve Records
Released 1968
****

Caravan was never more than a cult act, but it was also one of the founders of the progressive rock movement in England. It's 1968 debut sits along side Pink Floyd's "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" and the Moody Blues' "Days of Future Passed" as one of the first albums of the oft-maligned genre.

But Caravan doesn't fit into the pretentious virtuoso school of prog-rock. Caravan evolved, along with the more acclaimed Soft Machine, from the Canterbury r&b band Wilde Flowers, combining child-like psychedelia with restrained jazz rock. Their jazzy style would eventually define "the Canterbury sound" to prog fans.

Imagine if Syd Barrett fronted Traffic, and you've got a general idea of what Caravan's debut sounds like. Keyboardist David Sinclair drives the band musically, his burbling organ creating dreamlike soundscapes on the beautiful "Magic Man" and forcefully leading the instrumental attack on the psychedelic "Grandma's Lawn."

For most of the album, the songs are tight with little room for Sinclair and guitarist Pye Hastings to stretch out. But they more than make up for their restraint on the album closing "Where but for Caravan Would I?", a 10-minute epic that builds to a powerful instrumental climax before abruptly shifting to the restrained, surreal vocals of Richard Sinclair.

Caravan would later get more whimsical lyrically and more improvisational instrumentally, but on its debut the group shows that great prog rock isn't always dependent on virtuoso solos or pretentious symphonic arrangements.

Note on the album's CD reissue: The disc includes both mono and stereo mixes of the album. The mono mixes are far superior - the vocals are bright and up front, while the stereo mix seems to cloud everything in an aural haze. An added bonus is the non-LP single, "Hello Hello."

Buy "Caravan"