Milton

by Philip Jandovský Milton was recorded in 1970, one year before Milton Nascimento's and Lô Borges' famous collaboration Clube da Esquina. The sound, production and musical orientation of Milton is also very similar to the Clube da Esquina album. It is an elegant mix of slightly Beatlesque pop, soul and folk music from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. The music also displays the type of dreamy soundscape that is so typical of the early work of Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges. Just as on other albums recorded by Nascimento during this period, the songs are co-written by his friends and musical partners Lô Borges, Márcio Borges, Fernando Brandt, Ronaldo Bastos and Toninho Horta. There is no real weak point on this album, and all songs are solid, though five songs are worth extra mention. "Para Lennon e McCartney" and "Alunar" are two typically melodic and harmonious compositions written by the two Borges brothers, spiced up with characteristic psychedelic guitar play. "Clube da Esquina," "Durango Kid" and "Canto Latino" are beautiful, intricate ballads which gain extra ornamentation from exquisite flute, piano and electric organ tones. EMI's CD release of Milton also includes four bonus tracks, of which the instrumental "Tema de Tostão" is the finest.