AMIGOS / BARCO DE PEDRA

Quite obscure single released by the band when they reformed in late 1977, following the loss of Flávio Venturini (keyboards, vocals. He would eventually form the highly successful 14 Bis in 1979 ). Ex member and old friend Cezar de Mercês (who remained writing songs for them after he left the band) was back and Sergio Kaffa was recruited for keyboards work. It sounded like good news, but the first song they recorded signaled that big changes were coming. Both songs were penned by De Merces.

Amigos (friends) showed De Merces growing interest in what was called at the time black music: with its funky rhythm, synthesized brass and telling clavinet riff, was a total departure from what the band has done so far. It could have done some damage to the band´s image as a prog rock act, if radio stations bothered to play it. Since the single quickly disappeared, not many heard it. It would take their next full length LP (Mudança de Tempo, 1978) to do such work.

Barco de Pedra (boat of stone) on the other hand is a beautiful slow ballad much more in tune with the band´s style (although a hint of soul music is obvious). The terrific harmony vocals work perfectly here. It is a pity it went completely unnoticed and only recently I came to know it. It could have been quite a big radio hit.

Conclusion: more a curio than anything else. A good b side and a different (and not that good) a side. 2,5 stars. Overall quality is good. But expect no prog in here.