Werther

1970’s best-kept Bossa Nova secret. Surrounded by mystery for nearly 50 years due to its obscurity, this is one of the most honest, personal and unpretentious albums of its genre. A selection of 12 exquisitely crafted songs supported by measured, subtle arrangements. Despite Werther and his friends being only in their teens, without any previous experience recording music, those working behind the scenes were not equally amateur. Producer Peter Keller had already worked with Aloysio De Oliveira in the quintessential Bossa Nova label Elenco, and was also an initial partner in Roberto Quartin’s cult label Forma. Studio owner Bill Horne was a very loved character in the Rio jazz scene who had regularly taken part in the legendary meetings in Nara Leao’s apartment and befriended some of Brazil’s most respected musicians. Some of these musicians were, for example, Nana Vasconcelos and Edison Machado, who provided small contributions to Werther’s album. It was only in the 1990’s that Werther’s album was rediscovered by a handful of collectors and Brazilian music enthusiasts, who recognised in it a purity that had already vanished from the mainstream Bossa Nova recordings. But due to the haziness around the original release and the relative anonymity of its instigators, many questions surrounding these recordings were left unanswered. Today we are finally able to disclose the full story behind Werther’s short-lived contribution to Brazilian music.

• 01 Terca Feira
• 02 Leilao
• 03 Catavento
• 04 Mudanca
• 05 Litoral
• 06 Estuario
• 07 Mararia
• 08 Lenda
• 09 Apresentacao
• 10 Rei Do Chao
• 11 Dimensao
• 12 Ave Maria