Customer Reviews

Slaves Mass

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I first listened to this album as a jazz major in college and it blew me away. I don't use the word "Master" very often but, Hermeto is a MASTER. This album will dazzle your ears and imagination. Not only does Hermeto play most of the instruments on this album, he plays them so well you have to wonder which one is his main axe. A seance to contact the soul of Cannonball Adderley with Hermeto playing muti-tracked saxaphone is a treasure. The title cut "Slaves Mass" scared the hell out of me when I was 18 and alone in the dark of my dorm. "Little Cry for Him" demonstrates how well he plays everything.

If you like music that breaks all the rules then you owe it to yourself to own this album.

I pondered for a bit about what to call this album. "Aclassic"? "A masterpiece of Brazilian Music"? "An Unknown Genius"? ... The best I can say about Hermeto's work is all of the above and more. I am convinced that if he was born in the United States, he would be as well regarded as Miles Davis himself. I know this is quite a ambitious statement, the kind I am prompt not to make and even disdain when made by others, yet Mr. Pascual deserves such company. Like Miles, Hermeto never stops re-inventing himself, reaching for the farthest shores of his own soul. Like Miles, it will render you speechless with the breadth of his musical vocabulary, and it may even annoy you, with his unwillingness to repeat himself and rest on the laurels of a "winning formula." This album is a universe onto itself. From the mystic to the bizarre in a single tune (check "Cannon, a lament for flute and two live pigs ... yes, really), or his virtuosity and inspiration on the piano on "Tacho."

If you honor the profound creativity of Miles Davis, the unexpected beauty of Monk's melodies, and the deep musical range of Zappa's parodies, you must buy this gem. One last warning ... don't expect a comfortable listening experience, this is only for those other humans who, like Hermeto, long to be transfixed and transformed by great art.

Hermeto's music matches avant-garde inventiveness and jazz improvisation with the Brazilian tradition of colorful melodies and african-based rythms. Perhaps not his best album ("So' nao Toca Quem Nao Quer" is a stronger contender for this title), but still a marvellous showcase of his abilities as a composer and player. After less than a hour of pig squeals, tea pot whistles, screams and children - not to mntion great playing of more "traditional" instruments -, you will be surprised to find out that experimental music can stick to your ears as much as Britney Spears - the only difference being that Hermeto's music is a lot more pleasant.

It appears that after a long dry spell ,a creeping interest in Hermeto Pascoal has returned. Like most composer/performers of what I consider music (as opposed to quasi-musical entertainment as the mass market perpetrates),Hermeto is a hidden treasure. This cd, originally released in the early 1970's is a wonderful showcase of the multi-instrumental talents and the unique compositional style of the man I consider the world's greatest living composer. This cd showcases the trademark melding of northeastern Brasilian rhythms & advanced harmonic approach that makes Hermeto so unique, along w/ some avant guard and jazz-fusionsounds (Hermeto had been a sideman in Miles Davis' seminal electricbands ). This music demands your attention, and deserves to be heard. A welcome addition to the real music lovers collection, and a great start for one looking to expand their musical horizons! ENJOY!

I recall having seen a recording of a Jazz Festival on T.V. sometime in the 70's and remember being completely blown away by a really long-haired Brazilian whom i'd never previously heard of - well , turns out ,he was Hermeto Pascoal and as is usually the case he became another great muso who was " one to seek " Well , being of relatively sound mind , I recalled the name and had a search on the web and came across this album on Amazon.com - so I took the plunge and bought it . WOW!!. Certainly not middle of the road ,this is one of the most individual and adventurous albums that I've heard - distinctly Brazilian in flavour , but done with mesmeric , slightly avant-garde brilliance it's a masterpiece that any jazz fan should possess 10/10

This is one of the best cd purchases I've made in the past two years! Fans of adventurous Brazilian jazz should be scarfing up this one. Hermeto is a wildly creative musical phenomenon not to be missed. He handles keyboards, woodwinds and acoustic guitars on these free-spirited, high octane compositions and improvisations. Things start off with a great melody called Mixing Pot. This features Chester Thompson on drums, and Alphonso Johnson on bass. A nine minute ride that will have you smiling from ear to ear. Next up is the title track, a hauntingly beautiful piece full of great sounding acoustic guitars, jungle chants and piglet squeals! Little Cry For Him combines childlike innocence with brilliant melodic invention for keyboards and flute. That Waltz is another charming melody with Raul De Souza's trombone conjuring images of warm sand and ocean breezes. I could go on, but there's really no point. Listen to the music!