Chico Buarque - Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Volume 2

"Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Volume 2" was released in 1967 under the RGE label. This album, which lasts 33 minutes and 12 seconds, is distinguished by its dense sound architecture, where the introductory shadows give way to the light brought by a selection of major guests.

Chico Buarque de Hollanda (1966) and Nº 4 (1970): Volume 2 as a bridge between two eras

On track 2, Cálice, the invitation of Milton Nascimento brings a major vocal power that redefines the scale of the song. The duo O Meu Amor, in position 4, crystallizes this richness with the presence of Marieta Severo and Elba Ramalho, creating a harmonious contrast that anchors the album in a tradition of prestigious performers. Further on, track 7, Pedaço De Mim, incorporates Zizi Possi for a vocal contribution that adds an intimate nuance to the whole. Finally, the last track, track 11 Apesar De Você, seals the album with the contribution of the MPB4 and Quarteto Em Cy groups, transforming the melancholic ending into a moment of collective consecration. These collaborations are not mere additions: they transform the solo into a vast orchestration, where each voice, from Milton Nascimento to Elba Ramalho, contributes to the maturity of the project.

RGE technical specifications: 33 minutes 12 seconds of pureness, without a listed producer

The total running time of 33 minutes and 12 seconds for eleven tracks gives this album a sense of purity, which translates into a lack of unnecessary elements. This technical simplicity reinforces the album's focus on its own musical trajectory, with Chico Buarque de Hollanda's previous album, Chico Buarque de Hollanda (1966), remaining the only confirmed predecessor. Without a credited producer, sound engineer, or label other than RGE, the album stands as a monument to raw musical writing, where the voice and accompaniment take precedence over technical virtuosity. Between the timeless quality of Feijoada Completa and the lyrical richness of tracks like Tanto Mar, the album maintains a rare humility, at the intersection of the studio and the band. This dual belonging, between the discipline of recording and the vibrancy of collaborations, makes this volume a pivotal step, where the shadow of the intro gives way to the light of the guests, sealing the maturity of the work on RGE.

Confirmed guests and subsequent chronology

The album features four tracks with guest appearances, featuring artists such as Milton Nascimento, Marieta Severo, Elba Ramalho, Zizi Possi, as well as the MPB4 and Quarteto Em Cy groups. These collaborations include tracks such as Cálice with Milton Nascimento, O Meu Amor with Marieta Severo and Elba Ramalho, Pedaço De Mim with Zizi Possi, and Apesar De Você with MPB4 and Quarteto Em Cy. It is important to note that these invitations occurred after the release of this studio album. For example, Milton Nascimento is featured on "Cálice" (Chico Buarque (1978)) and "Que será (O que será) (À flor da terra)" (Chico Buarque en español (1982)), Marieta Severo on "O meu amor" (Chico Buarque (1978)), Elba Ramalho on "O meu amor" (Chico Buarque (1978)), Zizi Possi on "Pedaço de mim" (Chico Buarque (1978)), and MPB4 on "Cara a cara" (Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Nº 4 (1970)) and "Tema de Os Inconfidentes" (Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Nº 4 (1970)). Chico Buarque's next studio album after this one is As Cidades (1998).