Azymuth - Azymuth (1975) [Far Out Recordings]

Azymuth in gatefold LP sleeve. Azymuth were the blueprint for the band's own 'samba doido' or 'crazy samba' sound. Released in the summer of 1975, the album was a minor commercial hit, selling around 200,000 copies, but is now recognized as an essential piece of Brazilian music history. Surely the rawest and funkiest of Azymuth’s albums, every track oozes with the overflowing energy of three exceptionally creative young men from Rio, with incendiary results. Opening track ‘Linha do Horizonte’ – a sublime piece of melancholic electronic saudade where deep cinematic synths fuse with gently caressed acoustic jazz guitars – was used as a telenovela theme song and went on to sell half a million, catapulting Azymuth to national recognition. Azymuth went on to become one of the biggest-selling jazz artists of the 80s, but this is one of their most special releases and a firm cult favourite.