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Various Artists - 'El Justiciero, Cha, Cha, Cha' CD Review

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Various Artists - 'El Justiciero, Cha, Cha, Cha' CD Review

'El Justiciero, Cha, Cha, Cha'

Photo courtesy Nacional Records

El Justiciero, Cha, Cha, Cha gives a well deserved tribute to Os Mutantes, one of the most influential bands in the history of Latin Rock. The album, which is a compilation of songs produced by this Brazilian band, features popular bands and artists that include, among others, Aterciopelados, Café Tacuva and Fito Paez.

Os Mutantes Background

Along with stars like Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, this Brazilian band nurtured the musical movement known as Tropicalismo (Tropicália) that evolved in Brazil during the late 1960s. Os Mutantes music was framed into a Psychedelic Rock style that constantly experimented with new sounds. El Justiciero Cha, Cha, Cha offers a unique opportunity to fully discover the musical legacy of this band that lasted for almost ten years before falling apart in 1978.

An Outstanding Compilation

The opening song on this album is plain marvelous. The Argentinean band La Manzana Cromática Protoplasmática passed with flying colors its challenge of bringing back "Ave Lúcifer," one of the best songs from Os Mutantes. The next single on the list, "Vida de Cachorro," displays the talent of Colombian band Aterciopelados singing this very sweet single in Portuguese and Spanish.

Without getting into every single song of this album (because each one is fantastic), there are a couple of versions that are outstanding on this work. "Beija-me, Amor" offers a wonderful performance by Liliana Herrero and Arnaldo Antunes. In this song, Liliana's dramatic voice creates an extraordinary contratst with Arnaldo's famous deep tone.

On the other hand, "A Minha Menina" fits perfectly into Fito Paez style which allows the song to keep its primary flavor. Along the same lines, Martín Buscaglia's version of "Beso Exagerado" preserves the same intensity of the original 1972 hit song.

Kurt Cobain and Os Mutantes

For those who are still hesitating about getting into this album, there is an anecdote that has much to say about Os Mutantes. In 1993, Kurt Cobain… Yes! Your Kurt Cobain from Nirvana sent a letter to Arnaldo Baptista, keyboard player and bassist from Os Mutantes, asking him to reunite his already dead band. Listening to El Justiciero Cha, Cha, Cha, you will probably understand the reasons that move Kurt Cobain to write that letter.

'El Justiciero, Cha, Cha, Cha' - Bottom Line

Despite of dealing with music that was produced almost three decades ago, this album brings an incredible fresh sound that is often absent from today's mainstream music. El Justiciero Cha, Cha, Cha is a rare musical opportunity for those who want to venture into the origins of Latin Rock. A wonderful CD from beginning to end.

'El Justiciero, Cha, Cha, Cha' - Best Tracks

  • "Ave Lúcifer"
  • "Vida de Cachorro"
  • "Beso Exagerado"
  • "O Relógio"
  • "Beija-me, Amor"

Record Label: Nacional Records
Release Date: November 2, 2010

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