Vol. 1 - Bola Sete

Those familiar with Sete's jazzy bossa nova work on Fantasy might be somewhat surprised by the material on Vol. 1. The lighthearted tone of his collaborations with Vince Guaraldi, as well as his other efforts for that label, while not to be taken lightly, don't even begin to approach the introspective moods to be found on Vol. 1. The more traditional numbers like the opener, "Vira Mundo Penba," take on a sadness that goes beyond what most people understand about Brazilian "saudade," while "Macumba" is just downright dark. There is much to enjoy in this set. Not only does it showcase Sete's mesmerizing guitar work, but also a depth not found in the majority of his catalog. One could perhaps describe this music as a combination of Sete's original style with the probing, existential nature of John Fahey's America. This session was reissued by the Windham Hill subsidiary, Lost Lake Arts, in 1981 and retitled Ocean. ~ Brandon Burke, All Music Guide