BUILD UP by RITA LEE (OS MUTANTES)

Reissue of Rita Lee (Os Mutantes)'s debut solo album, originally issued in Brazil in 1970 !"In the mid-sixties, Sao Paulo born vocalist Rita Lee met brothers Arnaldo and Sérgio Dias Baptista and founded the most important Brazilian rock group of all time, Os Mutantes. In 1970, she released her first solo album Build Up, though she remained with Os Mutantes until the end of 1972, when she left the band. Os Mutantes were very much Brazil's answer to western pop culture venturing constantly into entirely uncharted creative and political waters. Indeed they were eventually deported to France by the Brazilian military dictatorship and it is said that as a subversive act Rita Lee planned at one point to fill the Sao Paulo water supply with LSD. Lee and Os Mutantes were central to the Tropicalia movement that in oppressive social circumstances revolutionised attitudes and Brazilian popular music. Protagonists included Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil, Tom Ze and the gifted arranger Rogerio Duprat who it may be claimed was to Os Mutantes what George Martin was to The Beatles. Certainly Rogerio's name on any record of those days is considered the mark of quality. For Build Up Duprat provides the orchestral arrangements while the album is produced by Lee's then-partner Arnaldo Baptista. It is an exciting piece of work. Eclectic in style; dominated by original material and a sinister reading of The Beatles' 'And I Love Her.' Build Up received a mixed reception in 1970 but like Lee herself has come to be regarded as the product of a golden age and a national treasure."