To begin with, Milton Nascimento possesses one of the most immediately recognisable voices in Brazilian music. Simultaneously high and sweet and as breathtakingly sublime as that of any soul singer. His music is both impressionistic and romantic. Above all, Milton has experimented heavily with Afro-Brazilian percussion and taped jungle sounds.

The composing method for these recordings were highly unconventional. To explain more, he said: “I wrote the music for ‘Maria Maria’ in a tiny Rio apartment with friends and their kids running around and having fun! I love to be in noisy places, surrounded by people.” Another key point was that the album was written as the soundtrack to a ballet which dealt with the legacy of slavery in Brazil. The songs also include solo spoken passages set to music. Evidently influenced by the style of French art cinema. For example, on the title track, Maria’s story is narrated and translated to music through the use of African Percussion, drums and metal signifying the field slave tools of the day.

Even though Maria Maria was recorded in 1976, it remained unreleased until almost thirty years later. Without a doubt Maria Maria reveals one of Brazil’s greatest ever songwriters at his creative peak. Featuring an all-star cast of fellow Brazilian legends including Nana Vasconcelos, Joao Donato, Paulinho Jobim, and members of Som Imaginario, Maria Maria holds what Milton considers to be the definitive versions of some of his classic songs, including ‘Os Escravos De Jó’ and ‘Maria Maria’.

Finally, head here to secure the album on vinyl. At the same time, check out the artwork and track list below.