Gilberto Gil - Louvação (1967)

Gilberto Gil's debut album presented him as one of the brightest young performers and composers in Brazil. Composed just a few years before tropicalia hit, stripped-down songs like the title track, "Lunik 9," and "Roda" reflect the native influence of bossa nova and samba. Though it's clear he's not yet the enthusiastic performer he would soon become, "Louvação" is a solid debut, packed with intriguing songs.       

In 1967 Gil was already established as a Bossa Nova star in Brazil and had helped launch Musica Popular Brasileira, introducing traditional northern folkloric styles into the urban bossa nova style to create a new hybrid that effectively defined Brazilian popular music for the next 25 years.

Just around the corner the musical and cultural anarchy of the Tropicalia movement was about to be created by Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Tom Ze and Os Mutantes.

Gil had first met Caetano Veloso in Bahia in the early 1960s. Alongside Maria Bethania, Gal Costa and Tom Ze they had formed the Group from Bahia. In 1965 he moved to Sao Paulo to launch his solo career after Elis Regina had a hit with Gil's own composition Louvacao.


Tracklist:

1. "Louvação" (Gil, Neto) - 3:45
2. "Beira-Mar" (Gil, Caetano Veloso) - 3:54
3. "Lunik 9" (Gil) - 3:04
4. "Ensaio Geral" (Gil) - 1:57
5. "Maria (Me Perdoe, Maria)" (Gil) - 2:37
6. "A Rua" (Gil, Neto) - 3:33
7. "Roda" (Augusto, Gil) - 2:41
8. "Rancho da Rosa Encarnada" (Gil, Neto, Vandre) - 2:38
9. "Viramundo" (Capinan, Gil) - 2:18
10. "Mancada" (Gil) - 2:02
11. "Água de Meninos" (Capinan, Gil) - 4:32
12. "Procissão" (Gil) - 2:38
13. "Minha Senhora" (Gil, Neto) - 3:24
14. "A Moreninha" (Tom Zé) - 2:47

     
Gilberto Gil - Louvação
(192 kbps, cover art included)