Mr Bongo celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Arthur Verocai’s 1972 masterpiece recording
Back in 2017 for Record Store Day, Mr Bongo put out an official reissue of Arthur Verocai’s 1972 “holy grail” masterpiece. Since then, the UK-based label has reissued the album a number of times. Now celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary, Mr Bongo has put together an expansive special edition package commemorating it’s initial release.
This extremely well-crafted gatefold reissue, pressed on gold and black marbled color vinyl, also includes a 16-page booklet featuring an interview with Verocai, a poster and 10 glossy photo prints of images from the original recording session.
Let’s also not forget that their might not be a more complete album ever recorded. Madlib was famously quoted saying, “I could listen to this album for the rest of my life.” From start to finish, the recording takes listeners on a drawn out journey that you will never want to get off of, featuring a blend of both uptempo and drawn out moments, fusing together jazz, samba, folk-like melodies, layered string arrangements, and Brazilian-psychedelic grooves.
For how beautiful and incredible this album is, it was shockingly Verocai’s only album for more than 30 years until he released a couple newer albums at the beginning of the 21st century, including 2007’s Encore through Far Out Recordings.
Since it’s release, this album has overtime gone on to influence generations of musicians, composers, producers, DJs and more, with original copies now going for at least $2,000. Shoutout to Mr Bongo for continuing to find outstanding ways to celebrate one of the greatest albums ever recorded.
Arthur Verocai — ‘s/t’
(Originally released: 1972 / Continental)
(Reissued: 2022 / Mr Bongo)
- Caboclo
- Pelas Sombras
- Sylvia
- Presente Grego
- Dedicada A Ela
- Seriado
- Na Boca Do Sol
- Velho Parente
- O Mapa
- Karina (Domingo No Grajaú)
