Jorge Mautner is one of the most important influences in the cultural life (not only in music) of the post-bossa nova years in Brazil. Learning to speak German before Portuguese (his parents were Germans refugees from the Nazis), he began to write in 1956 about his visions around a certain "Kaos," which served as reference for the genial Gláuber Rocha to create the Cinema Novo, and also for the inception of Tropicália. This double album commemorates his 40 years of career. The first disc contains his own interpretations of "Não, Não, Não" (the first recorded single, in 1965, through RCA, which, together with the book Vigarista Jorge, provoked his exile, still in that year, three years before AI-5). His songs have a distinctive mark in the exuberant lyrics and interpretations that don't fear the ridicule of the excess. But his melodies are also rich and creative, as can be heard in the samba with jazz influences, "Matemática do Desejo"; in the samba with influences of the old radio days, "Samba dos Animais"; and in several others. The second disc is a compilation of his songs as previously interpreted by major singers. "Maracatu Atômico," interpreted by
Gilberto Gil, one of
Mautner's biggest hits, is a strong document of the post-1960 Western mind. "Lágrimas Negras," interpreted by
Gal Costa, is a somber and depressed blues. "A lenda do Pégaso" is a fable sung by
Moraes Moreira. The subtle "Sonho de Uma Noite de Verão," interpreted by
Elba Ramalho, has dreamy delicate shades. "Vampiro," sung by
Caetano Veloso, has fundamental lyrics, of a dramatic, contemporary, and passionate romanticism that inspired many tropicalista poets, including Veloso himself.
Zé Ramalho,
Fagner,
Vânia Bastos,
Lulu Santos, and Celso Sim interpret the rest of the songs, with a decisive interpretation of "Maracatu atômico" by
Chico Science and his mangue beat closing the album. An important document of a virtually unknown poet who deserves much wider recognition.