O Inimitável
Roberto Carlos
1968
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
O Inimitável, Roberto Carlos's eighth album, released in 1968, represents a fundamental milestone in the career of the "King", being widely recognised as his transitional album. Although it still carries elements of Jovem Guarda, the work audaciously incorporates influences of funk and Tropicália, delineating the sound that would become known as post-Jovem Guarda and marking an artistic evolution for the singer. This album demonstrates a remarkable shift in Roberto Carlos's musical focus. While in previous works rhythm predominated, here the melody gains prominence, and the artist exhibits impressive vocal potential, with his voice well-placed and exploring its full range. The title "O Inimitável" was, at the time, interpreted as an allusion to the many singers who attempted to emulate his style, solidifying his unique position in the Brazilian music scene.
The sugary quality of his voice was replaced by something more aggressive, somewhat similar to a black music timbre.
Antônio do Amaral Rocha · Rolling Stone Brasil
Context
O Inimitável emerges at a crucial moment in Roberto Carlos's career path, being the first release after his departure from the popular Jovem Guarda programme on TV Record. This disengagement from television paved the way for a new artistic phase, in which the singer would seek to expand and mature his musical identity.
Recording
The album's instrumentation featured the accompaniment of members of Renato e Seus Blue Caps and RC-7, groups who were already Roberto Carlos's musical partners. Furthermore, the recording included the participation of the CBS Brass and Strings Orchestra, enriching the album's sound. Lafayette was responsible for the keyboards, using a Hammond organ and harpsichord, elements that significantly contributed to the musical texture of the record.
Songs
The change in repertoire is noticeable from the opening track, "E Não Vou Mais Deixar Você Tão Só", by Antônio Marcos, which contrasts with the innocence of the artist's previous songs. This album signals a search for more mature and elaborate themes, approaching soul and deeper compositions. Notable examples of this new direction include the major hits "Eu Te Amo, Te Amo, Te Amo" and "As Canções Que Você Fez Pra Mim", both partnerships with Erasmo Carlos. Roberto Carlos's flirtation with American soul and funk is evident in tracks such as "Se Você Pensa", also in partnership with Erasmo Carlos, and "Ciúme de Você", by Luiz Ayrão, both prominent hits from the album. The song "Madrasta" deserves special mention for being the first and only song performed by the singer at festivals to be included on an LP, characterised by its great harmonic complexity and vocal demand.
Legacy
O Inimitável cemented its place in the history of Brazilian music, being recognised for its importance and artistic quality. The album's relevance was underscored by the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone magazine, which elected it as the 82nd best Brazilian album of all time in one of its lists.
Tracks
Credits
Nicanor
Podcasts
Primeiro álbum de Roberto Carlos após a saída do programa Jovem Guarda, "O Inimitável" (1968) nasce como uma resposta aos que tentavam copiar o estilo do músico capixaba, porém, vai muito além disso. Ponto de partida para uma nova fase na carreira do artista, o trabalho mostra o interesse do cantor pelo soul/funk, reforça a parceria com Erasmo Carlos e ainda revelou sucessos como "As Canções Que V
QUER QUE EU RESENHE? · André Marx
Em mais um vídeo desta semana de efemérides de Roberto Carlos aqui no canal, André Marx faz um RÉU CONFESSO sobre os chamados "imitadores" do Rei, que gravou em 1968 um discaço chamado "O Inimitável", pra já demarcar território à época. Dois dos melhores discípulos de RC foram: Paulo Sérgio, com sua belíssima "Última Canção"; e Fernando Mendes, com a também belíssima "A Desconhecida". Essas duas c
Videos
ROBERTO CARLOS - O INIMITÁVEL (1968) | ALBUM REVIEW
Vinilteca
ANÁLISE DOS DISCOS DE ROBERTO CARLOS - O INIMITÁVEL - 1968 - com DANIEL BUENO
Daniel Bueno Oficial
A história do disco Roberto Carlos O inimitável 1968 – Bastidores e curiosidades
WendelMúsico
Coisas Que Você Não Sabe Sobre O Inimitável Roberto Carlos 68 - PARTE 1 #vinylcommunity
Aden Santos Oficial
A história do disco Roberto Carlos O inimitável 1968 PARTE 2 – Comentando Comentários
WendelMúsico
Álbum Roberto Carlos o Inimitável 1968 comentário
Roni Fernandes
Books
Os 500 Maiores Álbuns Brasileiros de Todos os Tempos
Ricardo Alexandre · 2022
The largest Brazilian music election ever conducted: 162 specialists, spanning journalists, critics, musicians, producers and podcasters, each nominated 50 essential albums, supported by a masterlist of more than 2,000 works. Led by Ricardo Alexandre with tabulation by Sérgio Jomori, it was published in December 2022 as a 200-page hardcover book with graphic design by Fernando Pires.
Como dois e dois são cinco
Pedro Alexandre Sanches · 2004
This is a work of music criticism that revisits the trajectory of Roberto Carlos and the Jovem Guarda from an analytical and, at times, iconoclastic perspective. The book examines the construction of Roberto Carlos's myth and his cultural relevance, dedicating attention to fundamental albums like 'O Inimitável', which consolidated his image.
Roberto Carlos outra vez: 1941-1970
Roberto Carlos outra vez: 1941-1970
Paulo Cesar de Araújo
This is the most comprehensive and in-depth biography of Roberto Carlos, written by the renowned biographer Paulo Cesar de Araújo. Covering the period from 1941 to 1970, the book details the artist's development, his rise in the Jovem Guarda and his crucial albums from that era, including 'O Inimitável' (1968), offering a meticulous study of his life and work during this period.
Analyses
O Inimitável – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
O Inimitável – The 100 Greatest Albums of Brazilian Music
Antônio do Amaral Rocha · Rolling Stone Brasil
The sugary quality of his voice was replaced by something more aggressive, somewhat similar to a black music timbre.
"O Inimitável" (CBS, 1968), Roberto Carlos
discosessenciais.blogspot.com
In a marketing strategy, CBS titled Roberto Carlos's new album 'O Inimitável', a clearly provocative title in response to his rival Paulo Sérgio.
Roberto Carlos - O Inimitável: o LP que dividiu uma era musical
blog.atomicpapers.com.br
After analysing Roberto Carlos's LP "O Inimitável", the importance of this album in his career becomes evident. The LP's title, chosen due to the similarity of another voice to his own, ultimately became a landmark in his musical career.
MUSICA&SOM: Roberto Carlos - O Inimitável (LP 1968 / Brasil)
tabernanovostempos.blogspot.com
It was the first record released after Roberto Carlos had left the 'Jovem Guarda' programme on TV Record; 'O Inimitável' is considered the singer's transitional album, although it still carries all the characteristics of that musical movement.
