Tom Zé
Estudando o Pagode

Luaka Bop
2006
A
Reviewed by: Mike Powell
Reviewed on: 2006-04-14



Posted 04/14/2006 - 04:03:48 PM by florenz6:
 Interesting insights in the music. The year started with the brilliant Tropicalia-sampler from Soul Jazz Records - The included essay was part of the success of that album - and now we see there is still so much energy left with some of the "heroes" of old times! Years ago, I saw Tom Ze on stage in Germany, and he really is a wonderful person (the ideas in his head would last for another lifetime!).
 
Posted 04/14/2006 - 05:43:01 PM by filardi:
 Wow! I'm quite impressed with your review, Mike. I'm brazilian and everything you've said about the record is coherent and relevant. I'm just wondering how did you know so much about the content on the lyrics and the whole concept of the album. Do you speak portuguese, or anything? I haven't listen to this record yet, but Zé is genius! Everything he does is great. Oh, and i loved your explanation about Pagode and the parellel with albums like "The modern dance" and "Metal box".
 
Posted 04/16/2006 - 04:11:54 PM by motelmoka:
 One of the best reviews I've read in Stylus. I'm also very impressed.
 
Posted 04/16/2006 - 10:11:39 PM by mikepowell:
 Thanks guys... filardi--I'm not Brazilian, nor do I speak Portuguese, but I read a translation of the lyrics and a short conceptual "primer" about the album, both of which were pretty helpful. And florenz6, I think that one of the great parts of Ze's story is that he's not really a "hero of old times," but someone who finally got his dues 35 years after his first albums were recorded. Not a hair worth splitting, because we both like him, I guess. I think he's still got great music left in him, too.