Craft Recordings and Jazz Dispensary have announced a 40th anniversary pressing of Azymuth‘s Telecommunication. Being released on vinyl for the first time since its original release in 1982, this Fusion record from the Brazilian trio was handpicked by the Jazz Dispensary, who “unearth deep catalog gems that inspire elevated conversation”. Set for release on July 15th as part of Jazz Dispensary’s Top Shelf series, Telecommunication can be found on Jazz Dispensary’s webstore.
The album has been remastered from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and pressed on 180-gram black vinyl at RTI. Exclusive merchandise bundles are also available on the Jazz Dispensary and Craft Recordings stores.
Azymuth was formed in Rio De Janeiro by three veteran musicians from the local scene: keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami, guitarist and bassist Alex Malheiros, and drummer Ivan Conti. The three artists first began working together in the late ’60s, recording and performing under several names, including Group Projeto 3 and later, Grupo Seleção. In 1973, the band gelled as Azymuth, borrowing the name from a song by their friend and collaborator, legendary singer, songwriter, and producer Marcos Valle.
The trio released their self-titled debut in 1975 and soon gained traction for their blend of Jazz, Electronic, Disco, and Funk, with modern and traditional Brazilian music, including Samba and MPB (Música popular brasileira). By 1982, when they released Telecommunication, Azymuth had gained a strong international following, appealing to both Jazz fans and club DJs alike.
In the years following Telecommunication’s release, Azymuth maintained a prolific schedule of work, releasing nearly an album a year. Simultaneously, Conti, Malheiros, and Bertrami all enjoyed flourishing solo careers during their downtime from the band. While Bertrami sadly passed away in 2012, Azymuth continues to actively tour and record, with the addition of keyboardist Kiko Continentino.
To date, their catalog includes more than two dozen albums, including 2020’s Azymuth JID004 with Adrian Younge and A Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad.
