Purportedly Mr Bongo’s most-requested reissue, which is saying a lot. Zé Roberto aka Joaquim Roberto Braga comes from Brazilian folk music roots, and recorded this tune in tribute to a Brazilian Formula 1 champion driver. It’s one of the rarest singles in Brazilian music history, and for the longest time the only known version existed on the Via Brazil compilation (2001), albeit slightly faster (pitched up) for reasons unknown. Says Roberto: “‘Lotus 72 D’ is a tribute to the sensational talent of Formula 1 driver, Emerson Fittipaldi, who was crowned world champion in 1972. I can't remember the names of the musicians who participated in the recording because they were hired by the original record label, RCA/Victor. The production team consisted of artistic co-ordinator, Henrique Gastaldello, and arranger, Severino Filho. The year of recording was 1973. I'm not aware of another fast version of the song 'Lotus 72 D’” (Reminds me of “Bug In The Bassbin,” a jazzy slab of low-slung percussive broken beat by Carl Craig’s Innerzone Orchestra which was famously played at the wrong speed by jungle DJs, eventually inspiring the sound of drum & bass). This reissue features the tune at its original speed as well as the pitched up 'fast version,' 100% officially licensed direct from Roberto, housed in a reproduction of the original picture sleeve. Recommended.

• black 7" vinyl pressing
• plays at 45rpm
• includes original version + 'fast version'
• music label: Mr Bongo 2019

reviewed by sleve mcdichael 08/2019