Black Zé

Black Zé formed in 1974 around vocalist and songwriter Zé Ramalho, who had previously worked as a journalist and poet. The early lineup included Zé Nogueira on drums, Zé da Flauta on flute and saxophone, and Raimundo Fagner on guitar. They came together in Rio de Janeiro with an interest in pushing at the edges of what popular music could be.

Their self-titled debut album arrived in 1975 and contained the song 'Só Para Loucos,' which became a breakout hit. The track's haunting quality connected with listeners, and the album brought the band wider recognition. Their sound mixed electric guitars and synthesizers with traditional Brazilian instruments like the berimbau and zabumba.

Zé Ramalho's lyrics tended toward the poetic and surreal, touching on love and madness. The band's style, which blended rock with Brazilian folk rhythms and psychedelic elements, wasn't always welcomed by conservative critics. They kept working despite that friction, releasing other songs like 'Lanterna' and 'Cilada.'