Classic Brazilian singer, songwriter and producer Marcos Valle catalog reissues. Light In The Attic is no stranger to digging up obscure pieces and shedding some much needed light on them (see Rodriguez, Jim Sullivan, etc). Times were turbulent in Brazil in the late 60's heading into the 70's with the government placing a stronghold on many civil liberties and the music of the period was one of the larger outlets they were trying to knock out. From Bossa Nova in the early days, Valle made a trip to the America and found new inspiration from the likes of the fusion folk and rock scenes running rampant in the young communities. Starting in 1970 his sound took a turn, gathering those inspirations Valle created a wonderful album of Brazilian traditions melding with American folk, pop sensibilities. A bonus for Hip Hop / Sample nerds 'Ele E Ela' features a Jay-Z sample used on Blueprint 3's 'Thank You'. The newly reissued album features in-depth liner notes interviewing Valle and is the first time officially available in North America. 180-gram wax LP with original art expanded on a gatefold old-school “tip-on” jacket. Recommended.

• music label: Light In The Attic Records 2013

reviewed by gene jacket 1/2013