A TÁBUA DE ESMERALDA (CLÁSSICOS EM VINIL)

Searing samba soul from Jorge Ben, one of his best-remembered albums of the 70s, and for good reason too! The album's got a slightly fuller feel than some of Ben's other work of the time - never slick, but with backings balanced nicely against his own raspy vocals and acoustic guitar - sweetening things up with a bit of the strings you'd find on Forca Bruta, but with a hint of the soul to come on Africa Brasil! The balance is great  thanks to arrangers Osmar Milito, Darcy De Paulo, and Hugo Bellard - and as usual, Jorge's vocals are the main attraction - dipping, turning, and rising with this really unique, personal feel  Ben-like brilliance at its brightest. The whole thing's wonderful - a key gem from the Philips years - and titles include "Cinco Minutos", "Zumbi", "Brother", "Os Alquimistas Estao Chegando Os Alquimistas", Errare Humanum Est, "Menina Muler Da Pele Preta", "Hermes Tri", and "O Namorado Da Viuva".