Ear Fuzz

Som Três: California Soul and Homenagem a Mongo
From: Som Três II [RGE, 1969]
Brazil is hard territory to crack. It’s a country that’s nearly the size of the United States. It’s close enough to the United States to pick up on much of it’s art including jazz and funk. Many Brazilian artists such as Gilberto Gil have worked with North American musicians going so far as to record collaborative projects that were big in both Brazil and the USA. However, since what seems like Brazil’s popularity peak in the US was the early 60’s it hasn’t resonated as much since. However a few indie bands such as CSS and Bonde Do Role have made minor imprints.

Som Tres are one of many fantastic bands from Brazil that were able to meld a jazz, funk and blues sound while still remaining tight, varied and fun. What’s amazing is that you will here great guitar lines, piano solos, organ grooves and tight drumming. The only negative thing I can say about Som Tres is their singing. The two track I picked are instrumental as is most of their catalogue. But they are proof that some bands don’t need vocalists and in some cases have vocals that detract from the great music behind them.

The music covers so many different genres that it inspires so many different moods. Some tracks sound like the best television theme ever, while others could clearly soundtrack James Bond finessing his way amidst beautiful women, drink in hand near a beachside hotel. Others are dirty dirty funk done in what I can only assume are impeccable clean and sharp suits. I’ve never been to Brazil before and hope to go someday. If given the chance this will most likely be my official band of Brazil.

California Soul is an criminally short track at under 2 minutes. It kicks off with a piano line and some skuzzy organ. The two battle back and forth throughout the song even verging into Morricone territory. It’s over before you knew it began, and don’t forget the cowbell that hangs in there for most the song. Homenagem a Mongo goes the other way and showcases Som Tres’ horn section including some bass horns that give it some extra thump. Basically if I were committing crimes in Las Vegas circa 1971 this song would play over my criminal home movies.