Secos & Molhados -

Secos & Molhados were a Brazilian art-pop/folk trio that embraced the glam image on their first two albums, released in 1973/74 on Continental. They later surfaced on Philips (1978–80) with a second pair self-titled albums.

Members: João Ricardo (acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals), João Carlos (guitar, 1971), Fred (guitar, 1971), Ney Matogrosso (vocals, 1972-74), Gerson Conrad (acoustic guitar, vocals, 1972-74), Marcelo Frias (drums, percussion, 1973), Sergio Rosadas [aka “Gripa”] (flute, 1973-74), John Flavin (guitar, 1973-74), Willie (bass, 1973-74), Lili Rodrigues (vocals, 1977-78), Vander Taffo [aka Wander Tosh] (guitar, 1977-78), João Ascensão (bass, 1977-78), Gel Fernandes (drums, 1977-78), Cesar Lampé (vocals, 1980), Roberto Lampé (vocals, 1980), Carlos Amantor (vocals, 1980), Tôto Braxil (vocals, 1987-90), Edinho (guitar, 1987-88), Fernando (bass, 1987-88), Ninho (drums, 1987-88), Zé Rodrix (keyboards, accordion, ocarina, 1973), Emilio (keyboards, accordion, 1974), Norival (drums, percussion, 1974), Jorge Omar (acoustic guitar, 1974), Triana Romero (castanets, 1974), Lazy (percussion, 1977), Rubão (percussion, 1977), Mozart Melo (guitar, 1980), Roberto Lazzarini (1980), Jamil Joanes (bass, 1980), Alexandre (bass, 1980), Dadi (1980), Mamão (drums, 1980)

Formation

Secos & Molhados (Portuguese for “Dry and Wet”) formed in 1970 in São Paulo. The original lineup featured singer Ney Matogrosso and singing guitarists João Ricardo and Gérson Conrad.

João Ricardo founded Secos & Molhados. Prior to joining, Ney Matogrosso pursued various paths, including time in the Brazilian Air Force, singing in a vocal quartet, and living a hippie lifestyle while aspiring to be an actor. He was later suggested to João Ricardo as a vocalist by songwriter Luli. Gérson Conrad subsequently joined, solidifying the classic trio.

Before recording their debut album, the group held their first performance at the bar Kurtisso Negro. Following a year of rehearsals, they performed at the Teatro do Meio, which eventually led to an invitation to record.

Secos & Molhados (1973)

Secos & Molhados released their self-titled debut album in August 1973 on Continental. They self-arranged the material with help by Zé Rodrix on “Fala.”

This was the first of two albums by the classic trio of Ney Matogrosso and singing guitarists João Ricardo and Gerson Conrad, who both play acoustic six- and twelve-string.

Auxiliary players include bassist Willi Verdaguer, drummer/percussionist Marcelo Frias, flutist Sérgio Rosadas, electric guitarist John Flavin, and pianist Emilio Carrera. Rodrix appears on piano, ocarina, and synthesizer.

João Ricardo wrote “O Patrão Nosso De Cada Dia,” “Assim Assado,” and collaborated on other songs with Paulinho Mendonça (“Sangue Latino”), Luli (“O Vira,” “Fala”), João Apolinário (“Amor,” “Primavera Nos Dentes”), Solano Trindade (“Mulher Barriguda”), Gerson Conrad (“El Rey”), Cassiano Ricardo (“Prece Cósmica,” “As Andorinhas”), and Manuel Bandeira (“Rondó Do Capitão”). Conrad co-wrote “Rosa De Hiroshima” with Vinicius De Moraes.

A1. “Sangue Latino” [Latin Blood] (2:07)
A2. “O Vira” [The Turn] (2:14)
A3. “O Patrão Nosso De Cada Dia” [Our Boss of Every Day] (3:30)
A4. “Amor” [Love] (2:15)
A5. “Primavera Nos Dentes” [Spring in the Teeth] (4:46)

B1. “Assim Assado” [Roughly Speaking / So So] (2:50)
B2. “Mulher Barriguda” [Big-Bellied Woman] (2:35)
B3. “El Rey” [The King] (0:57)
B4. “Rosa De Hiroshima” [Rose of Hiroshima] (1:59)
B5. “Prece Cósmica” [Cosmic Prayer] (2:00)
B6. “Rondó Do Capitão” [Captain’s Rondo] (1:00)
B7. “As Andorinhas” [The Swallows] (0:53)
B8. “Fala” [Speak] (2:58)

Moracy Do Val produced the album, with Júlio Nagib serving as A&R director. Aluizio De Paula Salles Jr. and Luiz Roberto Marcondes served as technical staff. Secos & Molhados recorded the album at Estúdios Prova.

Secos & Molhados (1974)

Secos & Molhados released their self-titled second album in August 1974 on Continental.

This was the second of two albums by the classic trio of Ney Matogrosso and singing guitarists João Ricardo and Gerson Conrad. Auxiliary players include bassist Willie, drummer/percussionist/timbalist Norival, flutist Rosadas, electric guitarist John, pianist/accordionist/keyboardist Emilio, and castanet player Triana Romero.

João Ricardo wrote “Oh! Mulher Infiel” and “Caixinha De Música Do João” (Instrumental). He collaborated with Julio Cortázar (“Tercer Mundo”), João Apolinário (“Flores Astrais,” “Vôo,” “Angustia”), Fernando Pessoa (“Não: Não Digas Nada”), Paulinho Mendonça (“Medo Mulato,” “O Doce E O Amargo”), Oswald De Andrade (“O Hierofante”), and Luli (“Toada & Rock & Mambo & Tango & Etc”). Gerson Conrad co-wrote “Delírio…” with Paulinho Mendonça.
Tracklist

A1. “Tercer Mundo” [Third World] (2:36)
A2. “Flores Astrais” [Astral Flowers] (3:51)
A3. “Não: Não Digas Nada” [No: Say Nothing] (1:37)
A4. “Medo Mulato” [Mulatto Fear] (2:18)
A5. “Oh! Mulher Infiel” [Oh! Unfaithful Woman] (1:30)
A6. “Vôo” [Flight] (2:34)

B1. “Angustia” [Anguish] (2:45)
B2. “O Hierofante” [The Hierophant] (2:15)
B3. “Caixinha De Música Do João” [João’s Music Box] (Instrumental) (1:04)
B4. “O Doce E O Amargo” [The Sweet and the Bitter] (1:52)
B5. “Preto Velho” [Old Black Man] (1:01)
B6. “Delírio…” [Delirium…] (2:19)
B7. “Toada & Rock & Mambo & Tango & Etc” [Ballad & Rock & Mambo & Tango & Etc] (2:08)

João Ricardo produced the album, with Julio Nagib serving as coordinator. Francisco Luis Russo engineered the recording at Estúdios da Sonima.

Matogrosso left the group and lauched his solo career with the 1975 EMI/Continental release Água do céu – Pássaro.

Secos & Molhados (1978)

Secos & Molhados released their self-titled third album in 1978 on Philips.

This album presents a new lineup featuring acoustic guitarist and vocalist João Ricardo (the only constant member), electric and acoustic guitarist Carlos Fernando (aka Zé Rodrix), bassist and vocalist Jandira Barone, drummer Capri, and vocalists Luti and Wanderlei. Auxiliary players include guitarist Mário Corrêa, keyboardist Miguel Paiva, percussionist Mamão, and saxophonist Zé Nogueira. Coral Da Som Livre provides chorus vocals.

João Ricardo wrote “Flores (Forasteiros no Paraíso),” “Boneca de Cera,” and collaborated on other songs with Luli (“Paz e Amor,” “O Vira”), Cacaso (“Queimando Tudo”), Fernando Brant (“Pé Sem Cabeça”), Ivor Lancellotti (“O Vento e as Cores”), Gérson Conrad (“Amor ou Amizade”), Paulinho Tapajós (“Cresce Menino”), João Apolinário (“Amor à Natureza”), Sérgio Castro (“Não Fale de Poesia”), João Bá (“Estradeiro”), and Geraldo Carneiro (“Castelo de Cartas”).
Tracklist

A1. “Paz e Amor” [Peace and Love] (3:06)
A2. “Queimando Tudo” [Burning Everything] (3:01)
A3. “Pé Sem Cabeça” [Foot Without a Head] (3:36)
A4. “Flores (Forasteiros no Paraíso)” [Flowers (Strangers in Paradise)] (3:35)
A5. “O Vento e as Cores” [The Wind and the Colors] (3:05)
A6. “Amor ou Amizade” [Love or Friendship] (3:15)

B1. “Cresce Menino” [Grow Boy] (3:00)
B2. “Amor à Natureza” [Love for Nature] (3:20)
B3. “O Vira” [The Turn] (3:05)
B4. “Não Fale de Poesia” [Don’t Talk About Poetry] (3:30)
B5. “Estradeiro” [Roadman] (3:20)
B6. “Castelo de Cartas” [House of Cards] (3:15)
B7. “Boneca de Cera” [Wax Doll] (3:15)

João Ricardo produced the album, with Carlos Alberto de Carvalho as production coordinator. Nivaldo Duarte, Ary Carvalhaes, and Jorge Barradas engineered the recording at Philips in Rio de Janeiro.

Secos & Molhados (1980)

Secos & Molhados released their self-titled fourth album in August 1980 on Philips.

This album features acoustic guitarist and harmonist João Ricardo (vocals), and vocalists Carlos Amantor, César Lempé, and Roberto Lempé. Auxiliary players include guitarist (electric & acoustic) Mozarte Melo, keyboardist Roberto Lazzarini, bassists Alexandre, Dadi, and Jamil Joanes, and drummer Mamão.

João Ricardo wrote “Quantas Canções É Preciso Cantar?”, “Roído De Amor,” “Meu Coração Não Pode Parar,” “Homenzarrão,” “Pão João,” “Muitas Pessoas,” “Você Faz Amor Engraçado,” “Pelos Dois Cantos Da Boca,” “Aja,” and “Vira Safado.” He also collaborated with Carlos Amantor, César Lempé, and Roberto Lempé on “Sem As Plumas, Numas.” “Contudo” was a collaboration among Carlos Amantor, César Lempé, Roberto Lempé, and Tininho.
Tracklist

A1. “Quantas Canções É Preciso Cantar?” [How Many Songs Must One Sing?] (3:01)
A2. “Roído De Amor” [Gnawed By Love] (2:37)
A3. “Meu Coração Não Pode Parar” [My Heart Cannot Stop] (1:54)
A4. “Sem As Plumas, Numas” [Without The Feathers, In Some] (2:57)
A5. “Homenzarrão” [Big Man] (2:48)
A6. “Pão João” [Bread John] (2:30)

B1. “Muitas Pessoas” [Many People] (2:51)
B2. “Você Faz Amor Engraçado” [You Make Funny Love] (2:21)
B3. “Pelos Dois Cantos Da Boca” [By Both Corners of the Mouth] (3:23)
B4. “Aja” [Act] (0:24)
B5. “Contudo” [However] (2:50)
B6. “Vira Safado” [Rascal Turn] (2:45)

João Ricardo and Toninho Barbosa produced the album. Toninho Barbosa engineered the recording at Som Livre Studios in Rio de Janeiro.

Discography: