About

- A TAV Essential Listening Album -

Far away from music hubs like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, hidden in Belém, rests a forgotten Brazilian jazz-funk obscurity by Guilherme Coutinho E O Grupo Stalo. Fortunately, this once-lost 1978 album has been reissued by Mr. Bongo and Mad About Records, after the latter tracked down a near-mint first pressing copy in Coutinho’s hometown library.

or the uninitiated, Coutinho was an immensely talented keyboardist, whose lounge band was the toast of Belém’s nightclub scene in the 1970s. Together, they recorded this sublime eponymous record of lo-fi Tropicalia and laid-back jazz-funk - brimming with stunningly sunny originals such as its breezy opener “Atalaia,” the fusion-based samba-canção of “As Feras” and the intoxicatingly funky mid-tempo ballad ““Rio Corrente.” Guilherme Coutinho E O Grupo Stalo is the rarest of MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) gems. - The Analog Vault

Mr. Bongo is proud to present the reissue of Guilherme Coutinho E O Grupo Stalo's self-titled mythical album. Blending lo-fi, Brazilian tropicalia, jazz, funk and MPB with a unique aroma, this record is pure perfection. It was originally released in 1978 on Erla - Estudio Rauland, an obscure record label from Belém in Brazil, that only released 7” singles, with this album being one of two exceptions. During the 1970s, Belém had a thriving nightclub scene, but it is thousands of miles away from the music industry hubs of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, making this record insanely difficult to find, even in Brazil. Added to the scarcity factor is the magical nature of the recording, which has naturally resulted in a hefty price tag to match. Original copies have become a prized, collector’s item.

The elusive Brazilian band leader and keyboard player, Guilherme Coutinho is a true cult artist. He passed away in 1983, at the age of just 41, and during his career he only seems to have appeared on a handful of marvellous records, which makes them all the more special. This album feels individualistic and distinctive from other albums of the day. Listening back to vocalist Elinho’s (aka Hélio Rubens de Oliveira) delivery, it sounds not too dissimilar to some of Belle & Sebastian’s songs. ‘Guilherme Coutinho E O Grupo Stalo’ is rich in charm, quirky and playful. It feels cinematic, soothing and benefits from being heard in its entirety. A proper album experience. — (via Mr. Bongo)

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Label: Mr Bongo 
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Reissued:2023
Genre: Global/World, Jazz, Latin, Funk / Soul
Style: Samba, MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), Fusion, Jazz-Funk, Male Vocals

File under: Latin-Influenced
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