Prelude

Eumir Deodato

1973

Cover of Prelude
Top 100

Why This Album Matters

Prelude, the eighth studio album by Brazilian keyboardist Eumir Deodato, released in 1973, is a seminal work in classical jazz fusion, considered by many to be an example of 'elevator music with a special touch'. Its innovative sound and the reinvention of well-known themes established it as an album of great musical relevance. The album is unmistakable for its signature track, "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)", a vibrant arrangement of the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Furthermore, Prelude houses one of the most sampled drum breaks from early hip hop, present in the opening bars of the track "September 13", which became legendary and fundamental to many classic songs of the genre.

Recording

The album Prelude was recorded at the prestigious Van Gelder Studios, an iconic location for jazz recording. Production was handled by Creed Taylor, whilst Eumir Deodato was responsible for the arrangements and conducting the sessions. Rudy Van Gelder served as sound engineer, ensuring the technical quality of the recording.

Songs

Among the tracks, the funk-influenced reinterpretation of Richard Strauss's "Introdução" from Also Sprach Zarathustra, entitled "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)", is one of the main highlights. Another notable point is the beginning of the song "September 13", which features a breakbeat that became legendary and was widely used in various hip hop productions. The album features a stellar cast of musicians, including guitarist John Tropea on three tracks, bassists Ron Carter and Stanley Clarke, and Billy Cobham on drums, all of whom contributed to the work's sonic richness and complexity.

Legacy

Prelude became the most successful recording in Eumir Deodato's career and for CTI Records. The funk version of "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)" was awarded the 1974 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and performed excellently on international pop charts, reaching second place in the USA, third in Canada, and seventh in the United Kingdom. In 1977, the album was briefly re-released with the title "2001" and an alternative cover. In October 2017, the album received a Super Audio CD re-release from the British label Dutton Vocalion, remastered in stereo and surround from the original analogue tapes. This double edition, accompanied by Deodato 2, from 1973, made the quadraphonic mixes of both albums available for the first time in over 40 years.

Rankings

Tracks

Credits

Arranged By, Conductor

Eumir Deodato

Producer

Creed Taylor

Bass

Ron Carter

Cello

Charles McCracken, Harvey Shapiro, Seymour Barab

Drums

Billy Cobham

Electric Bass

Ron Carter, Stanley Clarke

Electric Guitar

John Tropea

Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Flute

George Marge, Hubert Laws, Phil Bodner, Romeo Penque

French Horn

Jim Buffington, Peter Gordon

Guitar

Jay Berliner

Percussion

Airto Moreira

Percussion, Congas

Ray Barretto

Piano, Electric Piano

Eumir Deodato

Trombone

Bill Watrous, Garnett Brown, George Strakey, Paul Faulise, Wayne Andre

Trumpet

Joe Shepley, John Frosk, Marky Markowitz

Viola

Alfred Brown, Emanuel Vardi

Violin

David Nadien, Elliot Rosoff, Emanuel Green, Gene Orloff, Harry Lookofsky, Max Ellen, Paul Gershman

Engineer

Rudy Van Gelder

Cover

Bob Ciano

Photography By

Pete Turner

Photography By

Duane Michals

Podcasts

Prelude - Eumir Deodato | O Som do Vinil

O Som do Vinil | Podcast · Canal Brasil

23 min·12 Oct 2020

Charles Gavin apresenta "Prelude", álbum de maior êxito do músico Eumir Deodato. Lançado em 1972, o disco recebeu diversos prêmios internacionais, inclusive o Grammy de Melhor Performance Instrumental Pop/Rock.

Books

Analyses

Discogs

Prelude – Discogs

discogs.com