14 Bis

14 Bis

1979

Cover of 14 Bis
Top 100

Why This Album Matters

The band 14 Bis's eponymous debut album, released in 1979, marks the arrival of a group that skilfully harmonised the complex textures of international progressive rock with the melodic and poetic richness of Brazilian music, especially that coming from the Clube da Esquina movement. This inaugural album established the band's particular sound, characterised by the fusion of rock, MPB and folk elements, creating a distinctive sonic identity in the musical landscape of the time. The uniqueness of this work is accentuated by the patronage and production of Milton Nascimento, a central figure in MPB, which gave the album a seal of quality and a bridge between different musical universes. Nascimento's participation was not limited to production, but also included the cession of an unreleased song, consolidating the cultural and artistic relevance of the release.

Context

Formed in 1979 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, the band 14 Bis emerged from a scene where its members already possessed musical experience. Flávio Venturini and Sérgio Magrão came from the group O Terço, Hely Rodrigues and Vermelho from Bendegó, and Cláudio Venturini had worked with Lô Borges, evidencing a base of experienced musicians familiar with the nuances of Brazilian music. The group's proposal was ambitious: to create a Brazilian band inspired by great names in international rock such as The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, without losing the essence of the Clube da Esquina's influences.

Recording

14 Bis's debut album featured the important production of Milton Nascimento, who not only sponsored the band but also endorsed their signing with the multinational EMI. This support was fundamental for the recording and release of the album.

Songs

The debut album features striking songs which quickly became part of the repertoire of MPB and Brazilian rock. Among them, "Natural" and "Canção da América" stand out, the latter an unreleased and special track, composed by Milton Nascimento in partnership with Fernando Brant, which illustrates the band's deep connection with the Clube da Esquina's legacy.

Rankings

Tracks

Credits

Vocals

Suzana Nunes, Zé Eduardo

Accordion

Oswaldinho Do Acordeon

Banjo

Zé Menezes

Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

Sérgio Magrão

Cello

Alceu De Almeida Reis

Drums, Percussion

Hely Rodrigues

Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

Cláudio Venturini

Guitar

Zé Eduardo

Harmonica

Kimura

Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Vocals

Vermelho

Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals

Flávio Venturini

Mixed By

Franklin Garrido, Nivaldo Duarte

Recorded By

Franklin Garrido, Guilherme Reis, Mayrton Bahia, Sérgio Bittencourt

Analyses

Discogs

14 Bis – Discogs

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