Brazilian Dorian Dream
Manfredo Fest
1976
Why This Album Matters
Brazilian Dorian Dream, released by Manfredo Fest in 1976, is a seminal work that transcends musical boundaries, positioning itself as one of the most visionary albums in Brazilian jazz-funk fusion. This work is notable for its bold and futuristic approach, intricately combining Brazilian rhythms with elements of North American jazz and funk, as well as touches of European baroque and romantic music. The resulting sound is a cosmic "space-funk" that sounded light-years ahead of its time at the moment of its release.
Context
Manfredo Fest, blind from birth, began his classical music training and, by the age of 17, had already fallen in love with jazz. He actively participated in the bossa nova movement in Rio de Janeiro in the sixties. In 1967, Fest moved to the United States, where he collaborated with his compatriot Sérgio Mendes, before embarking on his solo career in the US and independently releasing this album. Brazil was under a military dictatorship in 1976, a period that spanned from 1968 to 1978, known as the "Years of Lead", characterised by intense repression and censorship. Although Fest's album does not directly address political issues in its lyrics, the creation of such an innovative and genre-transcending work can be seen as a form of expression in a period of restrictions.
Recording
The album Brazilian Dorian Dream was recorded and released independently in 1976. Manfredo Fest was the album's arranger, composer, and producer, as well as playing electric piano and various synthesizers. The team of musicians included Thomas Kini on electric bass, Alejo Poveda on drums and percussion, and Roberta Davis on wordless vocals, which became a hallmark of the album. Tom Jung was the recording supervisor, responsible for recording and mixing, while Roger Dumas programmed the synthesizers, contributing to the album's innovative sound.
Songs
Brazilian Dorian Dream comprises seven tracks, including the title track, "Facing East", "Jungle Cat", "That's What She Says", "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue", "Who Needs It", and "Braziliana No.1". The album is built on the principle of modal diatonic scales of the Dorian mode, which gives the compositions a particular harmonic structure. Manfredo Fest demonstrated a visionary use of instruments such as Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, Arp and Moog synthesizers, as well as a variety of effects units, creating rich and complex sonic textures. The wordless vocals of American jazz singer Roberta Davis are a miraculous and distinctive element, fitting perfectly with Fest's keyboards and synthesizers, in a way many describe as almost "alien" and precise. The track "Jungle Cat" is a prominent example, standing out as a "space funk stepper" with funky drums, "freaky" synthesizer lines, and Fest's mastery on the Rhodes.
Legacy
Due to its independent nature and limited pressing upon its original release, Brazilian Dorian Dream became an extremely rare collector's item on vinyl. The album was rediscovered and reissued by labels such as Far Out Recordings in 2020, allowing new audiences to access this masterpiece. The album's music, particularly the track "Jungle Cat" and its variation "Jungle Kitten" (released in 1979), became an underground hit in jazz-dance clubs and "all-dayers" events across the UK in the 80s. Critics and listeners consider it a "seminal and innovative" album, "light-years ahead of its time", and frequently compare it to the sound of the legendary group Azymuth, recognising its impact on Brazilian jazz-funk.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Manfredo Fest
Tom Jung
Roberta Davis
Alejo Poveda
Thomas Kini
Roger Dumas
Leigh Kamman
Analyses
Manfredo Fest - Brazilian Dorian Dream (1976) | Toque Musical
toque-musicall.com
Juntos eles fazem um som que bem nos lembra o Sérgio Mendes numa postura mais jazzística. É um disco de "fusion" e dos melhores, com elementos do jazz, do rock e também de suas raízes brasileiras.
Manfredo Fest - Brazilian Dorian Dream (1976) - IMMuB
immub.org
O começo gótico do disco pode causar certo estranhamento em ouvintes desacostumados a timbres menos tradicionais. Os acordes em clusters descendentes de Brazilian Dorian Dream - a música que inaugura o disco homônimo de Manfredo Fest (1936-1999) - tocados em uníssono são avassaladores!
Manfredo Fest - Brazilian Dorian Dream (1976) | Órfãos do Loronix
orfaosdoloronix.wordpress.com
Let's make a great start today with a recommendation of Ed Motta, who said enthusiastically that this LP is one of the greatest releases of Manfredo Fest. Let's check Ed Motta's pick.
Discogs
Brazilian Dorian Dream – Discogs
discogs.com