180 gram gatefold edition

Brazilian percussionist Naná Vasconcelos’s Saudades album, recorded in March 1979, was the culmination of a dream for a musician who had long yearned to hear the berimbau in an orchestral context. This ‘concerto’ for an innovative player of a traditional instrument was made possible with the creative input of Egberto Gismonti, here the arranger of the material for strings, as well as co-composer and supporting soloist.

The Radio Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart was conducted by Mladen Gutesha (who had worked with ECM previously on trans-idiomatic projects with Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek and Terje Rypdal). Produced by Manfred Eicher, Saudades remains an extraordinary journey, an ahead-of-its-time album, waiting for the world to catch up. This vinyl reissue, in gatefold sleeve, adds new liner notes providing historical context and background information.

PERSONNEL:

• Nana Vasconcelos - (berimbau, percussion, voice, gongs)
• Egberto Gismonti - (super 8-String guitar)
• Members of the RSO Stuttgart Orchestra
• Mladen Gutesha - (conductor)

Recorded March 1979, Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. O Berimbau
• A2. Vozes (Saudades)

• SIDE B
• B1. Ondas (Na Óhlos De Petronila)
• B2. Cego Aderaldo
• B3. Dado