Snegs
Som Nosso de Cada Dia
1974
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Snegs, the debut album by the band Som Nosso de Cada Dia, released in 1974, is a cornerstone in the Brazilian progressive rock scene and a fundamental work in national music. Distinguished by its rich and instrumentally complex sound, the album presents a rare fusion of international progressive rock influences, such as Yes, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Genesis, with inherently Brazilian elements like funk and soul. The work is marked by the strong presence of keyboard, bass, and drums, with a minimalist approach to the electric guitar, allowing Manito's multi-instrumental mastery (organ, synthesiser, violin, piano, flute, saxophone) to shine intensely. The album does not merely emulate foreign sounds, but forges its own identity, replete with 'groove' and attitude, establishing it as an audacious and innovative gem within the Brazilian musical repertoire of the 1970s.
Context
Formed in São Paulo around 1971, Som Nosso de Cada Dia was born from the union of Pedrinho Batera, Pedro Baldanza (Pedrão), and the already experienced multi-instrumentalist Manito, who had participated in iconic Jovem Guarda bands such as The Clevers and Os Incríveis. Before Som Nosso, Pedrão Baldanza had a significant stint with the band Enigma, which served as an embryo for the emergence of Novos Baianos. These diverse backgrounds contributed to the unique and mature sound that the band would go on to develop. The recording of Snegs occurred during a period of cultural effervescence and political transition in 1970s Brazil, where new artistic expressions flourished and rock, in its multiple facets, sought to consolidate itself. The trio sought collective formats and more elaborate sounds, distancing themselves from the standard repertoire of dance bands and exploring psychedelia and improvisation, which led them to consolidate a style that blended Brazilian rhythmic tradition with the aesthetic of international progressive rock.
Recording
Snegs was recorded in May 1974 at Sonima studios, in São Paulo, under the production of Peninha Schmidt, with the assistance of engineers Francisco "El Zorro", Carlos Dutweller, and Índio. The recording stood out for its speed and spontaneity, having been completed in just two days, with most of the material captured live. The compositions were already well rehearsed and ready upon arrival at the studio, requiring no significant alterations from the production team. Overdubs were minimal, focusing on acoustic guitars, Manito's solos (violin, sax, Minimoog), and additional vocals, including those by Marcinha. This approach allowed the essence and energy of the band's live performances to be faithfully captured, resulting in an album with notable authenticity.
Songs
The album Snegs features seven original tracks, with songwriting credited to Pedrão, Cimara, Paulinho, and Gastão Lamounier Neto. The instrumentation is a distinctive hallmark of Som Nosso de Cada Dia, with Pedrão Baldanza leading on bass and vocals, Pedrinho Batera on drums and vocals, and Manito showcasing his versatility on organ, synthesiser, violin, piano, flute, and saxophone, in addition to backing vocals. Songs like "Sinal da Paranóia" immediately reveal the band's style, with intense riffs, unexpected rhythmic changes, and the constant movement of the keyboards. "Bicho do Mato" offers a more direct breath of fresh air, where Pedrão's bass dictates the rhythm, creating a sound that transitions between heavy rock and MPB. Meanwhile, the title track "O Som Nosso de Cada Dia" serves almost as a calling card, alternating moments of pure instrumental exploration with more melodic passages, while "Snegs de Biufrais" stands out as a psychedelic interlude of pure experimentation. The complexity and cohesion of the songs, combined with the rare absence of a lead guitarist, underscore the innovative and audacious nature of the trio's work.
Legacy
Snegs is universally acclaimed as one of the best Brazilian progressive rock albums, receiving high ratings from critics and fans of the genre. On specialist platforms, most reviews consider it an "essential progressive rock masterpiece" or an "excellent addition to any progressive rock collection". Its influence lies in its ability to blend the references of international bands such as Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer with a typically Brazilian touch, paving the way for other bands in the national progressive scene to develop their own sounds. Despite not achieving massive sales success at the time, the album and Som Nosso de Cada Dia gained greater recognition for their legendary live performances. Later CD re-releases, such as those in 1993 and 2017, frequently included a bonus track, "O Guarani", recorded in 1993, which marked the reunion of the original trio. This longevity and the continuous interest in their work demonstrate the lasting importance of Snegs in the history of Brazilian music.
Tracks
Credits
Pena Schmidt
Marcinha
Pedrinho Batera
Pedrão Baldanza
Manito
Carlos Duttweller, Francisco Luis Russo, Índio
Julio Nagib
Agamenon
Eduardo Campanelli, Pedrinho Batata
Videos
SNEGS: CLÁSSICO PROGRESSIVO DO SOM NOSSO DE CADA DIA | ALBUM REVIEW
Som de Peso
Books
Analyses
Snegs – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Som Nosso De Cada Dia: Snegs | musicalphabet
musicalphabet.com
On July 29, 1974, "Continental" label released "Snegs", the debut Som Nosso De Cada Dia album. It was recorded in 1974, at "Sonima", and was produced by Peninha Schmidt.
Babyblaue Prog-Reviews: Som Nosso de Cada Dia: Snegs: Review
babyblaue-seiten.de
Der Erstling von Som Nosso de Cada Dia ist so eines. Ursprünglich 1974 nur in Brasilien veröffentlicht, war es lange Zeit schwierig an das Album heranzukommen. Es gab zwar 1993 ein CD-Reissue bei Progressive Rock Worldwide, doch war dieses auch schnell vergriffen.
Som Nosso De Cada Dia - Snegs (1974) ~ Rock: Álbuns Clássicos
rockalbunsclassicos.com.br
Snegs is the debut album by the Brazilian band Som Nosso de Cada Dia. The official release took place in 1974, on the Continental label. The recordings occurred in May 1974, at Sonima studios in São Paulo, Brazil.
MUSICA&SOM: SOM NOSSO DE CADA DIA Snegs 1974 Brasil [Eclectic Prog ...
tabernanovostempos.blogspot.com
"O som nosso de cada dia" (Our daily sound) is unpredictable and shoots off in several directions at once, offering everything from a bombastic, delirious keyboard, to softer, dreamier passages and treated floating sax in the final minutes.
