Brazilian Octopus

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Years Active

1968–1969

Genres

samba-psych, jazz, bossa nova, instrumental, psicodélico

Instruments

flauta, guitarra, piano, órgão, saxofone, bateria, vibrafone, baixo elétrico, violão

Biography

The Brazilian Octopus was a Brazilian musical group formed in São Paulo in early 1968. The band emerged from an initiative by Lívio Rangan, events director at Rhodia, a textile company that promoted fashion shows with musical performances. The proposal was to put together an ensemble to liven up these events, offering a one-year employment contract with three months of paid rehearsals, an unusual perk for the time. The original lineup featured musicians from diverse backgrounds, many already well-known in São Paulo's nightlife scene, such as Cido Bianchi (piano and organ), Lanny Gordin (guitar), Alemão (acoustic and electric guitar), Douglas de Oliveira (drums), João Carlos Pegoraro (vibraphone), Carlos Alberto de Alcântara (tenor sax and flute), Cazé (alto sax), and Matias (double bass). Shortly after, Hermeto Pascoal (flute) and Nilson da Matta (electric bass) joined the group.

The pinnacle of the Brazilian Octopus was the release of a self-titled album in 1969, through the Fermata record label. This record is a singular work that blends samba-psych, bossa nova, Cuban rhythms, jazz, and pop elements, featuring complex arrangements and innovative sounds for the time. Production was handled by Mário Albanese and Fausto Canova, and the album included original compositions by the musicians as well as arrangements of well-known songs like "Casa Forte" (by Edu Lobo) and "Pavane" (by Gabriel Fauré). Despite the quality and the stellar lineup, which featured musicians like Hermeto Pascoal and Lanny Gordin, the group recorded only this album, as the musicians did not receive royalties for the recording, which led to the end of the project.

The album "Brazilian Octopus" is considered a collector's item today, sought after by fans of Brazilian instrumental music and jazz. Its experimental and psychedelic sound, combined with the presence of renowned musicians like Hermeto Pascoal, the "wizard of a thousand instruments," and Lanny Gordin, "post-tropicalist guitar hero," make it a milestone in the history of Brazilian instrumental music. The group's work, although ephemeral, left a legacy of creativity and virtuosity, influencing later generations of musicians and being rediscovered and reissued on several occasions.

Discography

• Brazilian Octopus (1969)