UK’s Far Out Recordings has recently issued the highly-anticipated previously unreleased 1975 recording, titled Starting Point, from the Brazilian fusion trio known as Grupo Um. Based out of São Paulo, the group features brothers Lelo Nazario (piano/keys) and Zé Eduardo Nazario (drums/percussion), alongside bassist Zeca Assumpção, whom made their mark performing in Hermeto Pascoal’s Grupo (included on Pascoal’s Viajando Com O Som: The Lost ’76 Vice-Versa Studio Session).

This brilliant 6-track recording blends together cosmic Fender Rhodes keys and acoustic piano with funky electric bass lines, and Afro Brazilian layered percussion rhythms that straddle the lines between adventurous improvisational moments and spacey jazz-funk grooves.

Similar to Pascoal’s Viajando Com O Som sessions from the following year, Starting Point was recorded over two days at Vice-Versa Studios, by revered engineer Renato Viola. Unfortunately, the band was unsuccessful in finding a label at the time to release the music, resulting in the recording being shelved for almost 50 years. Luckily Lelo kept the tapes safe in his archives for all of these passing years.

Thanks to Joe Davis‘ Far Out Recordings and the remarkable preservation of this music, this masterful album has finally been released into the world, and should now have a firm place among other essential Brazilian fusion recordings from this 70s era.

Grupo Um — ‘Starting Point’
(Recorded: 1975 / Released: 2023)
(Far Out Recordings)

1. Porão da Teodoro
2. Onze por Oito
3. Organica
4. Suite Orquidea Negra
5. Jardim Candida
6. Cortejo dos Reis Negros

BUY RECORD

• Brazilian
• Jazz Dance
• Jazz Funk
• Jazz Fusion