Back in 2008, we had the idea of putting together some of Far Out's best musicians from Rio in the studio to make a record that could mix cultures, generations, languages and musical ideas between Brazil, the UK and the Americas, yet be a homage to the music we all love, Brazilian music, soul and disco. We went into the studio with 3 producers, 3 engineers and musicians including Jose Roberto Bertrami and Alex Malheiros from Azymuth, Arthur Verocai, Paulinho Black (from the original Banda Black Rio), Jose Carlos and many more outstanding participants. With this amazing team, The Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra was born. Armed with two of the greatest arrangers in contemporary Brazilian music, Jose Roberto Bertrami and Arthur Verocai, it really could not go wrong.
Combining our mutual love for soul, funk and Disco music, majorly because of Azymuth's musical influence, we all wanted to push it one step further. We decided to have a full string orchestra and horn section on the tracks, all of which were arranged by Arthur Verocai. Later we decided to put English lyrics to give the music an Anglo-American feel while keeping the Brazilian harmony running strong through its veins. The record was produced in the best studio in Rio de Janeiro, with all old equipments including 2" Ampex tape, Neve compressors, SSL desk and needless to say all the best delicate treatments to retain that analogue feel and sound along the way to this release.
In 2012, Jose Roberto Bertrami, one of the main components of the band and indeed Far Out Recordings, friend, brother and mentor, sadly passed away. He will be severely missed. He has been a massive part of the black music heritage in Brazil having been the arranger of albums such as Jorge Ben's 'Africa Brazil', the first Candeia record, 'Raiz', Serginho Meriti, Carlos Dafe, Hildon and many, many more. Bringing to the table his love for the music of Philadelphia, we got into the studio with those sounds in mind to prepare the bases of the tracks. Once all the tracks were down, the recordings were prepared for the writers under the supervision of the maestros. All the vocals were recorded in the UK by Alex Mills aka Mia Mendes and jazz singer Marcina Arnold both chosen for there style and sound which would lend itself to the disco sound.
