Terreno Baldio -

Terreno Baldio was a Brazilian art-rock band that released a 1976 self-titled album, followed by the 1977 Continental title Além das Lendas Brasileiras.

Members: João Carlos Kurk (vocals, flute, percussion), Mozart de Mello (guitar), Ronaldo Lazzarini (keyboards), Ascenção (bass), Joaquim (drums, percussion), Ayres Braga (bass)

Formation

Terreno Baldio (Portuguese for “Wasteland”) formed in 1973 in São Paulo, Brazil. Their core lineup — singer/flutist João Kurk, keyboardist Roberto Lazzarini, and drummer Joaquim Correia — hailed from Islanders, a longstanding covers band (1966-1971).

They hired guitarist Mozart Mello and bassist João Ascenção to form Terreno Baldio, inspired by the mallet-laden sound of Gentle Giant. Their first notable performance occurred on August 28, 1974, at the “Festival do Cometa” in Ibirapuera Park. This event, held in a geodesic dome, featured various rock bands, including Jazzco.

In 1975, Terreno Baldio played the Banana Progressiva festival at Teatro da GV in São Paulo. The event showcased Brazilian progressive music, featuring groups such as Vímana, Os Bolhas, O Terço, Som Nosso de Cada Dia, and Apocalypsis, alongside instrumental and avant-garde acts like Hermeto Pascoal (with Jazzco) and A Barca do Sol. Erasmo Carlos and Cia Paulista de Rock also attended.

Terreno Baldio

Terreno Baldio released their self-titled debut album in 1976 on Pirata. It contains eight group-written originals.

The album features singer/flutist João Carlos “Fusa” Kurk, guitarist/singer Mozart Mello, bassist João Ascenção, drummer/percussionist Joaquim Correia, and keyboardist Roberto Lazzarini, who plays piano, electric pianos, organs, synthesizers, and xylophone.

Musically, tha album fuses classical and jazz elements with the rhythms of Brazilian dances, including xaxado and baião. Lyrical themes reflect the period, addressing freedom in opposition to the military regime, loneliness, and pollution in major cities like São Paulo.

A1. “Pássaro Azul” [Blue Bird] (4:14)
A2. “Loucuras de Amor” [Follies of Love] (4:05)
A3. “Despertar” [Awakening] (5:06)
A4. “Água que Corre” [Running Water] (4:55)

B1. “A Volta” [The Return] (3:43)
B2. “Quando as Coisas Ganham Vida” [When Things Come Alive] (2:02)
B3. “Éste é o Lugar” [This is the Place] (7:24)
B4. “Grite” [Shout] (5:07)

Arnaldo Saccomani produced the album. Alan Kraus, a former member of Os Mutantes, engineered the recording. Pirata pressed 3,000 copies of the album but soon lost the master tapes. Between albums, bassist Rodolfo Braga (formerly of Joelho de Porco) replaced João Ascenção.

Além das Lendas Brasileiras

Terreno Baldio released their second album, Além das Lendas Brasileiras, in 1977 on Continental. It contains eight group-credited originals plus a rearrangement of “Passaredo” by Francis Hime and Chico Buarque. The album’s title is Portuguese for “Beyond Brazilian Legends.”

The album features singer/percussionist João Carlos “Fusa” Kurk, guitarist Mozart Mello, keyboardist Roberto Lazzarini, bassist Rodolfo Braga, and drummer Joaquim Correia.

Guest musicians include acoustic guitarist Dino (“Passaredo,” “Primavera”), percussionist Elizeu (“Caipora,” “Saci Perere”), and synthesizist/mellotronist Gildo Farias (“Lobisomen,” “Curupira”). Vocalist Rosana performs on “Caipora,” “Passaredo,” and “Primavera.”

A1. “Caipora” (2:40)
A2. “Saci Perere” (3:15)
A3. “Passaredo” [Flock of Birds] (2:58)
A4. “Primavera” [Spring] (3:27)
A5. “Lobisomen” [Werewolf] (5:26)

B1. “Curupira” (5:04)
B2. “As Amazonas” [The Amazons] (3:45)
B3. “Iara” (3:37)
B4. “Negrinho do Pastoreio” [Little Black Shepherd] (3:52)

Discography: