Caetano Veloso - TRANSA Caetano Veloso

Caetano Veloso is considered one of the leading figures in Brazil’s Tropicalia movement and Transa marks Veloso’s fourth album. Lke its predecessor it was recorded while he was exiled in London. Caetano himself considers it one of his favourite records and regards “Nine Out of Ten” as his best song in English. Transa was listed by Rolling Stone Brazil as one of the 10 best Brazilian albums ever.

Transa is generally regarded as a classic and was recorded while the artist was exiled in London, though he returned to Brazil shortly after completing it. The sound of ‘70s electric rock predominates, fused with Brazilian rhythms and percussion, berimbau sounds, and his own violão playing. Perhaps this is why this album has gained in stature over the years. It offers enough Western styles to keep outsiders interested but also sounds undoubtedly Brazilian.

It also helps that it features strong numbers as “You Don’t Know Me”, “Nine out of Ten” (his best song in English according to Caetano himself), “Neolithic Man” and “Mora Na Filoso a” (a song that originally caused uproar thanks to its rock treatment of a classic samba). “Nostalgia (That’s What Rock ‘n’ Roll Is All About)” can also be seen as the template for Devendra Banhart’s first albums.

This version of Transa comes as a 1xLP. The vinyl is pressed as a grey disc.