Soul Jazz continues its recent run of tip-on, hardshell-case CD reissues of rare mid-to-late '60s Brazilian titles (serving as companion pieces to their 2011 series of compilations Brazil Bossa Beat!, Bossa Jazz, and Bossa Nova and the Rise of Brazilian Music in the 1960s) with Louvação, an undeniably compelling MPB debut from a man whose music a few of us here were first introduced to via this same label's bestselling 2006 set Tropicalia: A Brazilian Revolution In Sound.
"This debut 1967 album showed how confident Gil was in his musical inventiveness. As well as the title track, the album includes seminal tracks that have become classics of Brazilian contemporary music. 'Viramundo,' later covered by Sergio Mendes, effortlessly blended the northeastern baiao and xaxado accordion rhythms of Luiz Gonzaga. 'Procissao,' in contrast, took its starting point from the religious processions found in the Afro-Brazilian centre of Salvador. Songs such as 'Roda' instantly became classics of Brazilian popular music. Add to this the lyricism of poets and artists Chico Buarque, Torquato Neto, Capinam, Caetano Veloso, Tom Ze and Gil himself and we are presented with one of the most significant debut albums of Brazilian music from one of the most important artists in Brazil to this day." - Soul Jazz Records