Build Up
Rita Lee
1970
Why This Album Matters
Released in 1970, Build Up marks Rita Lee's solo debut, a notable achievement given that she was still a fundamental member of the band Os Mutantes. This album stands out as an early record of Rita's versatility and innovative spirit, who, even under the shadow of the psychedelic group, was already exploring distinct musical paths, blending rock, pop, folk elements, Latin music, and even gospel in her compositions and interpretations. The record, which would reveal itself as a 'cult classic' years later, offers a sample of a young Rita Lee in one of her most beautiful vocal recordings, revealing an artist who naturally transitioned between different genres. The ability to hybridise international influences with Brazilian musical tradition is a hallmark that would accompany her throughout her brilliant career, making Build Up an important starting point for the 'Queen of Brazilian Rock'.
Context
In 1970, the year Build Up was released, Rita Lee was consolidating her position as a key member of Os Mutantes, a pioneering band of the Tropicalismo movement, known for its experimental sound and the irreverence of its lyrics. Contributing with vocals, flute, percussion, and as the group's main lyricist, Rita already demonstrated multifaceted talent. The Build Up project initially emerged from a musical, the 'Build Up Eletronic Fashion Show', for the Fenit company in São Paulo, which was a precursor to São Paulo Fashion Week. The Philips record label, aware of Rita's solo potential, took advantage of a period of the Mutantes' 'first separation' to invest in her individual career through these musicals, culminating in the release of this solo album.
Recording
The album Build Up was recorded in 1970 at Estúdio Scatena, located in São Paulo, and featured production by Arnaldo Baptista and Rogério Duprat. Manuel Barenbein also participated in production coordination. Rogério Duprat, an iconic figure of Tropicália, was responsible for the orchestral arrangements, imprinting his innovative signature on the record's sound. Despite being a solo work by Rita Lee, the strong connection with Os Mutantes is evident in the participation of band members in the recordings: Lanny Gordin on guitar, Diógenes on drums, and Sérgio on bass, contributing to all tracks. The blend of rock, Latin music, orchestral elements, and gospel reflects the sonic breadth explored in the production. The album was originally released with a gatefold (double) sleeve, an item which, at the time, was distributed in limited copies.
Songs
Build Up features a diversity of compositions, revealing the creativity of Rita Lee and her collaborators. Among the tracks, 'José (Joseph)' stands out, a Portuguese version of Georges Moustaki's song, adapted by Nara Leão, which became a single and marked the album, achieving moderate success. Curiously, the inclusion of 'José' in the repertoire was Rita's insistence, as Arnaldo and Sérgio, members of Os Mutantes, did not appreciate the song. Other notable songs include 'Sucesso, Aqui Vou Eu (Build Up)', co-written with Arnaldo Baptista, and 'Calma', composed exclusively by Arnaldo. 'Viagem ao Fundo de Mim', a solo composition by Rita, is a delicate ballad that, according to the artist herself, describes an LSD experience. The record also surprises with 'Macarrão com Linguiça e Pimentão', which, unusually, is literally a sung recipe. The album also features a re-recording of The Beatles' 'And I Love Him'. Élcio Decário was an important songwriting partner on this work, contributing to several tracks such as 'Precisamos de Irmãos', 'Hulla-Hulla', 'Tempo Nublado', 'Prisioneira do Amor', and 'Eu Vou Me Salvar'. The track 'Prisioneira do Amor' is described as a hilarious tango, with an inspired interpretation by Rita and arrangement by Duprat, while 'Eu Vou Me Salvar' concludes the record with a masterly and playful gospel rock.
Legacy
At the time of its release, Build Up did not achieve great commercial success and 'did not do very well', being considered a side project of Os Mutantes that 'failed to captivate listeners in Brazil'. However, over the years, the album gained 'cult classic' status and, with renewed interest in the work of Os Mutantes, came to be re-evaluated by many as one of Rita Lee's most significant and finest works. After her departure from Os Mutantes in 1972, Rita Lee's solo career would take off to massive commercial success, especially with the release of Fruto Proibido in 1975, which sold over 700,000 copies and generated major hits. Build Up's trajectory, from an initially underestimated album to a cult gem, reflects the artistic depth of Rita Lee, whose initial experimentations paved the way for her to become the 'Queen of Brazilian Rock'. The album has been the subject of several re-issues, including vinyl versions, attesting to its lasting value in the artist's catalogue.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Arnaldo Baptista, Rogério Duprat
Podcasts
Rita Lee - Discografia comentada · Ziriguidum
Sucesso, aqui vou eu! - O primeiro solo de Rita Lee participam desse episódio: Patricia Palumbo, Silvia Machete, Milton Guedes, Lucinha Lins e Laert Sarrumor. ****** A discografia de Rita Lee, além de rica e diversa, faz um panorama do crescimento do pop/rock brasileiro. Rita é personagem fundamental desde a Tropicália, passando pelo rock dos anos 70 e 80, pioneira no fenômeno dos Acústicos dos
Videos
Rita Lee - Discografia comentada | Build up (1970)
Rita Lee Discografia Comentada
New Moebius 1964 Nova full build up and review #modelkit #scalemodels #hobbys
The Autistic Modeler
Discos e Tal #150: Rita Lee - Build Up. Disco de Estreia da Rainha do Rock!
Quadrinhos e tal
Films
Rita Lee - Biograffiti: Cor de Rosa Choque
2007
Rita Lee became the main reference in Brazilian rock-pop. She composed iconic songs exploring the feminine universe, the theme of "Cor de Rosa Choque" (Shocking Pink), the third part of the "Biograffiti" documentary series. Topics such as women's witchcraft, the muses who inspired her, the wonders of ageing, and the unrevealed mysteries of the feminine soul are treated in this documentary in a humorous and emotional way. "Todas as Mulheres do Mundo", "Pagu" and "Erva Venenosa" are some of the many songs featured, taken from the show recorded in November 2006 at Morro da Urca, in Rio de Janeiro. There are also precious historical archives, such as the meetings of Rita and Elis in 1978, singing "Doce de Pimenta", and Rita and Cássia Eller, in 1998, singing "Luz del Fuego". "Cor de Rosa Choque" also includes the recording of the song "Tão", an unreleased rock track.
Rita Lee - Biograffiti: Baila Comigo
2007
Life on the road is the theme of ‘Baila Comigo’ (Dance With Me), the second part of the "Biograffiti" documentary trilogy about Rita Lee's life and work. The singer talks about the pleasure of composing, her affinity with the audience, and tells how some of her songs were born. She also talks about cinema, drugs, and Rio de Janeiro. The documentary shows the meeting of Rita and João Gilberto singing "Joujoux et Balangandans", captures Rita and Roberto de Carvalho finishing a new song called ‘Dinheiro’ (Money), and features songs from the singer's show in January 2007 on Copacabana Beach. There, Rita sang hits like ‘Mania de Você’ (Crazy About You), ‘Lança Perfume’ (Perfume Launcher), ‘Agora só falta Você’ (Now All That's Missing Is You), and ‘Flagra’ (Caught in the Act), among others. And to honour the Marvellous City, she sang the song ‘Valsa de Uma Cidade’ (Waltz of a City) alongside the 180,000 people present on the beach.
Rita Lee - Biograffiti: Ovelha Negra
2007
Brazilian singer Rita Lee narrates moments about her life, from her childhood to the meeting with Roberto de Carvalho. The documentary is permeated with excerpts from the singer's concerts, with songs sung entirely.
Rita Lee: Mania de Você
2025
Just before her departure, Rita Lee writes a farewell letter to her three children and her husband and musical partner, Roberto de Carvalho, in which she reflects on her life and joyfully celebrates her family. Her final moments also mark the time to look back and review a career full of unforgettable successes, which led her to sell more than 55 million records. But it is also a time to reveal her downfalls, her vulnerable side, and her excesses as the queen of rock. With completely unseen personal archives and exclusive testimonies from her own family, as well as producers, journalists, musicians, and celebrities such as Gilberto Gil and Ney Matogrosso, "Rita Lee: Mania de Você" presents her definitive legacy.
Books
The 500 Greatest Brazilian Albums of All Time
Ricardo Alexandre · 2022
The election was spearheaded by journalist Ricardo Alexandre, creator of the Discoteca Básica podcast. Ricardo consulted 162 specialists including journalists, YouTubers, podcasters, musicians, record-shop owners and producers. The result was published as a 200-page hardcover book, with graphic design by Fernando Pires.
Rita Lee: Uma Autobiografia
Rita Lee · 2016
Autobiografia da renomada musicista de rock brasileira Rita Lee, cobrindo sua carreira profissional e sua vida pessoal desde a infância. Sendo a narrativa da própria artista, oferece um panorama aprofundado de sua trajetória, incluindo o período de lançamento do álbum 'Build Up' e o contexto de sua criação.
Analyses
Build Up – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Rita Lee: 55 anos de "Build Up"
bcfblogculturaefutebol.blogspot.com
Hoje, 8 de maio, completam-se dois anos da partida da grande Rita Lee Jones (1947-2023) e, para celebrarmos o seu legado, destacarei a respeito do álbum "Build Up", que completa 55 anos de lançamento em 2025.
Build Up, de Rita Lee - PáginaDois
paginadoisblog.com
Build Up é o primeiro disco da carreira solo de Rita Lee. O álbum foi gravado quando ela ainda era parte dos Mutantes, e os músicos da banda, inclusive aparecem em várias faixas.
Boomerang Music | "BUILD UP", primeiro disco solo de RITA LEE, ganha ...
boomerangmusic.com.br
Sucesso, aqui vou eu". É assim que Rita Lee abre o seu primeiro disco solo, "Build Up", de 1970. A canção, inspirada nos clássicos musicais, ganhou o luxuoso arranjo de orquestra do maestro tropicalista Rogério Duprat.
Build Up, álbum de estreia de Rita Lee, ganha versão de luxo
blognroll.com.br
Sucesso, aqui vou eu ". É assim que Rita Lee abre o seu primeiro disco solo, Build Up, de 1970. A canção, inspirada nos clássicos musicais, ganhou o luxuoso arranjo de orquestra do maestro tropicalista Rogério Duprat.
Discogs
Build Up – Discogs
discogs.com