Águia Não Come Mosca

The second album from the Brazilian funk trio Azymuth, now reissued by Mr Bongo, was originally recorded in 1977 and traverses a fair share of genres. There are references to MPB, jazz, prog rock and samba across ten tracks, making for varied listening. It begins with the perfectly pleasant and yet unremarkable ‘Vôo Sobre O Horizonte’ (think hold music with added synth). However, this is followed by the title-track, where the sound of the synth coupled to the aggressive bossa nova rhythm played on the drum kit and increased tempo makes for an exciting contrast. The 12-bar chorus, which alternates between three- and four-beat bars, distinguishes the track as a highlight of the album. Here, the jazz/fusion roots of this band and their shared Brazilian heritage meet and marry well. Other moments include ‘Despertar’, which evokes all the best images of 70s Brazil with a classic tropicália sound, and ‘A Caça’ would grace any funk band's repertoire. ‘Circo Marimbondo’ and ‘Tamborim, Cuíca, Ganzá, Berimbau’ are plagued by over-repetition. Both have great ideas but lack thematic development. Neither depart from the grooves that are established in their introductions, which in the latter's case is five minutes of the same chord progression and groove. However, these are two minor marks on an otherwise wonderful example of Azymuth's skill and vision.