Mister Trend's Random 10

This week's seventh song , "Taj Mahal" is from 1975's "Gil e Jorge", an album in which two of Brazil's greatest musicians and songwriters (Gilberto Gil and Jorge Ben) ever just got together and cranked out 11 of their own songs (most of which had been recorded before as 2-4 minute pieces on other albums but become 7-11 minute long songs here) on their accoustic guitars, improvising (but never resorting to technical wankery), and just having a really good time. It really shows the unrefined creative brilliance these two men have. There is no added studio effect, no refinement and rehearsal over time. These songs are raw, simple, and mostly done in the first take or two. The energy of Gil and Jorge (both of whom are INCREDIBLY energetic performers, even on studio albums) is unrestricted and uninhibited here. To me, the album is one of the most lively, jubilant albums (even on "Corcovado", a slower tribute to the city of Rio) I've ever heard. It's widely available in the states, and while it may not be emblematic of most of Gil's or Jorge Ben's other works, it is a great album and works wonderfully, regardless of your familiarity (or lack thereof) of Portuguese.


1. "Desenrock-Se" - Tom Zé
2. "Wake Up" - Arcade Fire
3. "Ecuatorial" - Edgar Varese
4. "Awakening" - Mahavishnu Orchestra
5. "Grapheme" - DJ Spooky
6. "Objeto Sim, Objeto Não" - Gal Costa
7. "Taj Mahal" - Gilberto Gil and Jorge Ben
8. "I" - Aphex Twin
9. "The Dozen" - Big Bill Broonzy
10. "Do Vento" - Arnaldo Antunes