Saudades LP (ECM Records)

In March 1979, Brazilian percussionist Naná Vasconcelos fulfilled his long-standing desire to blend the berimbau into an orchestral context with the "Saudades" album. Egberto Gismonti, the creative arranger for the string ensemble and a co-composer, contributed to this innovative concerto. Conducted by Mladen Gutesha, who previously collaborated on trans-idiomatic projects with ECM, the Radio Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart brought the vision to life. Produced by Manfred Eicher, "Saudades" remains an avant-garde masterpiece, now available in a gatefold vinyl reissue with added historical liner notes.