 Although electronic music can be traced back to the late 1920’s, it wasn’t until the introduction of groups like Kraftwerk when the genre gained traction. As the technology to produce this music became more affordable, it helped revolutionize the recording industry, to the point where most of the popular music of today has some form of electronic element connected to it.
I came across this song ten years ago and it immediately drew my attention. It was dark and mysterious, with dystopian undertones. It also helped carry the electronic musical tradition forward, pushing ideas to their sonic limits. Balam Acab is the moniker for talented musician Alec Koone and his See Birds EP was his first official release. It’s also one of the earlier examples of witch house, a microgenre of electronic music.  Before Eumir Deodato worked with Kool and the Gang or melded rock, disco, and classical to win a Grammy for his rendition of Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra” he was in Os Catedráticos, a little known samba and bossa nova jazz ensemble.
Os Catedráticos were only around for a couple of years, but they were prolific, releasing three albums between 1964 and 65. Their Ataque record from 1965 is an unsung masterpiece, and the perfect bridge between the familiar Bossa Nova sounds that had recently left Brazil and the Latin influenced Jazz that would follow in the 70’s. “Os Grilos” is a fun piece of music that sneaks up on the listener and slowly suffocates them with its boa constrictor samba. It’s also far more adventurous than most of the songs that littered the American pop charts at that time, like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” by the Righteous Brothers or “I’ll Never Find Another You” by The Seekers… |
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November 2024
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