Official Mr Bongo reissue.
1. Satwa / 2. Can I Be Satwa / 3. Alegro Piradissimo / 4. Lia A Rainha Da Noite / 5. Apacidonata / 6. Amigo / 7. Atom / 8. Blue Do Cachorro Muito Louco / 9. Valsa Dos Cogumelos / 10. Alegria DoPovo
Written, recorded and released just as Brazil’s military dictatorship reached the climax of its long black arc, the one and only album by Satwa is a divinely subtle protest, often cited as Brazil’s first independent record.
Formed after the return of Lula Côrtes and Lailson from their respective foreign excursions – the ‘Satwa’ project lasted only a year, perhaps due to their differing stripes.
Lailson was from the verdant former Dutch colony of Pernambuco, while Côrtes hailed from the wild badlands of Paraiba. But for 11 days in January 1973 the pair jammed cross-legged and produced the folk trance gems that adorn this self-titled debut.
The music is a succession of ragas and mantras, powered by incense, magic mushrooms and other "mental muscle expanders," recorded live at the Rozenblit Studios, Recife, between 20 and 31 January 1973.
With a limited edition and distribution mainly regional, the disc disappeared almost as soon emerged, making it another Holy Grail record alongside Paebiru.