Egberto Gismonti: Danca das Cabecas (1977)
Dança Das Cabeças is Egberto Gismonti's debut album for ECM Records.
Egberto Gismonti is one of the most talented jazz musicians around. His flute-playing is pretty impressive on side one; his guitar work, also on side one, is simply staggering. But when you turned the LP over and heard his fantastic piano, you cannot help but be amazed. I know nothing about the technicalities of playing keyboards, but if someone had told me it was Keith Jarrett or Lyle Mays playing, I would have believed them.
This is one of those LPs that I bought when it first came out, back in 1977, and have re-purchased on CD. This is where it all started, ECM-wise, for Gismonti and Vansconcelos. As soon as you start playing the album, you feel like you've let the Amazonian jungle into your room. Vasconcelos can conjure up an entire rainforest with his percussive background effects. Gismonti spent a period in the Brazilian jungle working with Indian musicians in order to gather material for this album, and it shows ... wonderfully. I should add that Gismonti is a classically trained musician -- he had studied in Paris.
As you hear to this music, you will enjoy one of the most singular and beautiful musical experiences one can ever have. Egberto Gismontis' sincerity, and his sense of touch, rhythm and musical spirit goes far beyond any standard, and reaches a realm of freedom and beauty that truly enhances our cultural condition, remaining as "a thing of beauty", sublime and lasting forever. Alone or in the context of his whole work, this recording expresses one of the most original musical minds of this centuries (XX and XXI). So, take your time, make sure nothing will brake your listening, and do enjoy this musical rite as a true ascension to the heights of beauty.
Track listing
"Part I" – 25:21
Quarto Mundo no. 1 (E. Gismonti)
Dança Das Cabecas (E. Gismonti)
Águas Luminosas (D. Bressane)
Celebração De Núpcias (E. Gismonti)
Porta Encantada (E. Gismonti)
Quarto Mundo no. 2 (E. Gismonti)
"Part II" – 24:30
Tango (E. Gismonti/G.E. Carneiro)
Bambuzal (E. Gismonti)
Fé Cega Faca Amolada (M.Nascimento/R. Bastos)
Dança Solitária (E. Gismonti)
Personnel
Egberto Gismonti - 8 String Guitar, Piano, Wood Flutes, Voice
Nana Vasconcelos - Percussion, Berimbau, Corpo, Voice
