Lula Cortes & Ze Ramalho

Writers Cortez and Ramalho are both from Pernambuco in the North East of Brazil.

Paebiru, by Lula Cortes & Ze Ramalho, is a true lost classic Brazilian tribal psyche-rock album. Côrtes, who composes and plays on many of the tracks, seemingly appears only when talking about obscure Brazilian psych reissues, Ramalho, on the other hand, has built a solid career as a Brazilian pop singer and takes on most vocal duties.

Nearly the entire original pressing was destroyed in a flood (or according to some, a fire) before it had a chance to be distributed and originals now exchange hands for in the region of $1000-1500.

The album is divided between Terra, Ar, Fogo, Agua (Earth, Air, Fire and Water) across the four sides of the double LP.

This is a unique, intense and unpredictable album that moves through areas of jazz, soul, folk, psyche, African and rock via heavy Brazilian instrumentation.


Above: An interesting look through the original press of the LP