Ao Vivo em Montreux

A Cor do Som

1979

Cover of Ao Vivo em Montreux
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Why This Album Matters

Ao Vivo em Montreux, the second album by A Cor do Som, released in 1978, marks a singular moment in the history of Brazilian music, recording the first show by a group from the country at the prestigious Montreux International Jazz Festival. This album is notable for its heightened virtuosity and for presenting almost entirely new material, consolidating the band's instrumental identity on an international stage. A distinctive characteristic of this work compared to its predecessor is the greater exploration of electric instruments and synthesizers, showcasing a bolder and more contemporary sound for the era. Examples of this can be heard in the version of "Espírito Infantil", which exemplifies the group's musical innovation and creativity.

Context

A Cor do Som's participation in the Montreux International Jazz Festival came after an invitation from the event's founder, Claude Nobs, who had the opportunity to meet the band at a party organised by the Warner record label. This invitation placed the group on a stage of international recognition, an unprecedented achievement for a Brazilian ensemble of its musical nature at the time.

Recording

The album Ao Vivo em Montreux is a recording of the band's show at the Montreux International Jazz Festival in 1978. The group presented an almost entirely new repertoire, marked by instrumental virtuosity. WEA record label's production recorded this historic performance.

Songs

The album's repertoire stands out for presenting almost entirely new material, reflecting the band's great creativity at the time. The sound is marked by a more intense use of electric instruments and synthesizers, as can be perceived in the version of the song "Espírito Infantil", which demonstrates the group's musical evolution and experimentation.

Legacy

Despite A Cor do Som's unquestionable musical quality and great creativity, Ao Vivo em Montreux, like its predecessor, faced low sales, which led the WEA record label to pressure the group to incorporate sung numbers into their performances. Although adopted with reluctance on the subsequent album, Frutificar, this new formula propelled the ensemble to significant commercial success in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. Notwithstanding the initial sales, Ao Vivo em Montreux is widely considered by many critics to be one of the most important post-Tropicalist albums in Brazil and by the band itself, recognising its artistic value and its contribution to Brazilian instrumental music.

Rankings

Tracks

Credits

Executive-Producer

Charles Gavin

Production Manager

Charles Gavin

Project Manager

Gian Uccello

Edited By

Guilherme Calicchio

Remastered By

Charles Gavin, Ricardo Garcia

Technician

Sergio Chataignier

Artwork

Cilene Roso

Design Concept

Charles Gavin, NewXtension Design

Graphic Design

Silvia Panella

Liner Notes

Marcelo Fróes

Books

Analyses

Discogs

Ao Vivo em Montreux – Discogs

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