About ten years ago, I read a great article about Tropicalia and Caetano Veloso. I knew about the Tropicalistas (Os Mutantes, Gilberto Gil, Tom Ze and Gal Costa), but I was looking to broaden my scope of Brazilian music beyond Bossa Nova and Tropicalia. That same article mentioned Milton Nacimento & Lo Borges' classic, Clube Da Esquina. I wasn't hip to Milton or, for that matter, Lo Borges. All I knew was that I liked the cover of their album and Caetano Veloso was a fan of Milton's. That was good enough for me. I went to a local record store and bought Clube Da Esquina.

Clube Da Esquina turned out to be one of my favorite albums... ever! I think I have bought this album several times over as a gift. Even now, when I see a used copy come into Amoeba, I think of who I can buy it for. This album changed my life and how I listen to music. Every time I listen to it, it feels like the first time I've heard it. It continues remains fresh. I feel Clube Da Esquina is often copied but never matched, although I have heard some great covers of songs from that album.

Today I heard a great version of the song "Cais" from Clube Da Esquina. It was done by the late, great Elis Regina, who often covered many of Milton's compositions. I started to wonder how many great covers of songs off Clube were out there! Thus, I began my search. From psychedelic groups, to house divas, to soul/jazz outfits and with some modern Brazilian folk groups thrown in, everyone seems to love the songs of Milton & Lo.

Quarteto Em Cy - "Tudo Que Você Podia Ser"