Review by Brad Balfour
Band: Os Mutantes
Date: Friday, June 28 – 8 PM
Venue: Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
When Brazilian psychedelic rock band Os Mutantes made a rare appearance at Brooklyn Bowl on June 28th, audiences had the World Music Institute (WMI) to thank. As one of the leading presenters of world music and dance within the United States, WMI has produced showcases of the best international music and dance whether it be traditional or contemporary. Founded in 1985 as a not-for-profit arts organization, it changed the access to many incredible groups from around the world whether they be Celtic traditional or an avant garde rocker like Os Mutantes.
Brooklyn Bowl made for the perfect venue given its integration of top-flight music acts, 16 bowling lanes, a bar full of locally crafted beers, and food by the Blue Ribbon restaurant group. Located in the beautiful, 19th-century Hecla Iron Works building, the venue is a rock and roll haven that boasts of a crystal clear sound system and a standing show pool area which allowed the packed audience — comprised of shimmying Brazilians and folks from south of the border — to express themselves sweatily.
In partnership with Blue Note Jazz Festival NYC, this rare appearance of these Brazilian musical legends linked the sounds of the late 1960s tropicália movement with music notions appropriated Anglo-American rock. The original band released a debut album in ’68 (which was later included in Rolling Stone Magazine’s Greatest Latin Rock Bands of All Time) and then recorded with fellow tropicália stars Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso — who then became international superstars — further establishing “The Mutants” as an important band on the global music circuit.
After a hiatus from the ‘70s to the early 2000s, the band reunited (with member changes) went on touring and recording new material. But its driving force has always been Sérgio Dias who was as an original member.
Until their breakup in 1978, nine albums were recorded, although two of them – “O A e o Z” and “Tecnicolor”– were only released in the ‘90s. It was when they reformed that the importance of Os Mutantes got recognized as one of the most creative dynamic, radical and talented groups of the psychedelic era.
Although the original line-up made the most notable breakthroughs, the group having gone through numerous personnel changes throughout its existence, When the band reformed in 2006, they started touring and recording new material much of which was performed in their lengthy concert.
Taking cues from such early-stage cutting edge rock influences as the Doors, Jimi Hendrix and other bands, Dias and his band mates combined instrumental virtuosity with powerful vocals and a tight performance throughout. As Billboard Magazine described their sound as “kaleidoscopic, politically charged rock” that was the foundation of the show throughout the evening.
Dias is a master guitarist and amply displayed his fine finger work and unique sound style throughout. There’s a touch of the jam band to their current group configuration, but there were enough tight song structures to keep the evening moving along breezily. Having brought the band together again, it wasn’t a matter of recycling old songs but of producing a powerful live show that made an evening with Os Mutantes all the more worthwhile.
And, it’s worth noting that the evening’s opening act — Pinc Louds — captivated the audience with its wildly unique and compelling performance. Keep an eye out for shows by this team — especially when they headline.
This event closed out WMI’s season but their next event this summer is part of Bryant Park Picnic Performance.
Presented by Bank of America
Performer: Gyedu-Blay Ambolley [US debut]
Opening Act: Natu Camara
Date: Friday, August 16
Tume: 7 PM – 9 PM
Outdoors, general admission
a free event co-presented with Bryant Park