PIRATA

Pirata (pirate) was the final CD released by this interesting brazilian band. In the late 70´s prog music was stuck in a rut, so many artists started to look for other ways to deliver their works. The band was fired by their recording company after two LPs that did not produce substantial sales. So, the original Pirata Lp was an independent effort and showed the band shifting to a more traditional path. By this time cellist Jacques Morelebaum had left the fold and his presence is sorely missing. However, the songs were good and showed some promising, even if at the cost of their terrific originality.

All band members were outstanding musicians, capable of tackling almost every style. But this is a very much a record bearing the traditional brazilian sounds of the time: there are sambas, sertanejo, ballads, instrumentals and so on. Nothing that reminded the boldness of their early works. Even the lyrics are more down to earth here. And, sorry to say it, almost not prog at all. It is all very well done and played, of course, but clearly they were trying to reach a more radio friendly approach at the cost of some of their identity: they sound too much like what a lot of artists were doing by the late 70´s in Brazil. Small wonder the record was ignored by public and critics alike.

If you´re looking a for a good, simple, straight brazilian folk rhythms with some prog influences here and there, you should listen to this one. Those guys were skillful and the songwriting is above average. But it is far less challenging and progressive than the two previous ones.

Rating: 2,5 stars that I will round up to 3 for the great musicianship of all involved.