whatmusic.com have started official
re-issues of Ed Lincolns LP's, including some of the Orlann Divo LP's that
he plays on.
Even better, they have an interview
from 2002 with the man himself along with some soundfiles.
My first contact came when I was walking past my favourite record shop, and from outside I could hear they were playing the wildest organ record I think I've ever heard, lots of brass, wordless vocals, percussion, kazoos, just wild stuff. So I had to buy the LP of course ('Ed Lincoln' on Musidisc), and then try to find out if I could get more.
I found it very hard to find any information on Ed Lincoln at first, what little I found (in English) always referred to him as 'The Great Ed Lincoln'. So naturally my curiosity became even greater. The rest of this page is largely from notes sent to me by Christian Courtis in Argentina, a man who not only speaks Portuguese, but has excellent taste in music. Some is from elsewhere. There will be errors, let me know. Some of the record reviews were cribbed from Dusty Groove (where you often find Ed's records) although I have extended them with my own observations.
Ed Lincoln appears to be one of the links between samba, bossa nova and what is called Jovem Guarda (young wave), which is the Brazilian incarnation of light "international" vocal pop. From an Interview with Joaquim Vivas (In Portuguese, [broken link]) it seems that he was still making records until sometime in the 80s when Polygram refused to release one of his albums, since then he has been concentrating on production, although he still plays live. The interview has some nice shots of a silver haired Ed Lincoln standing at his keyboards. Lincoln was at the time of the interview still working in production based in his studio in Lapa St, Rio de Janeiro. There is a Marvio Ciribelle album recorded at Studio Ed Lincoln in 1993 called "Esa so o que Faltava" and an Ed Motta LP was released in 2000 which featured Lincoln playing organ on one track.
Originally from Fortaleza, he worked in the press before moving to Copacabana Beach in the early 50s where he played double bass in an acoustic Jazz trio with Luis Eça? at the ' Bar Plaza' in which Baden Powell the famous bossa nova guitarist made his debut sometime around 1955. He also worked in Dick Farneys band for a while. Eventually changing over to piano and later, organ. His first recording was in 1959, 'Ao teu Ouvido', for the Hellium label. There are also LP's recorded by a band with Luiz Bonfa (an excellent site) the guitarist and composer, with Lincoln playing the acoustic piano. During the 60s, he led the Ed Lincoln Band, playing dancehall music around Brazil. He played for a long time with singer Pedrinho Rodrigues and for more than 30 years with singer Orlandivo (aka Orlann Divo).
Beside issuing his own LPs, Ed Lincoln was a session musician, so you could find him anywhere in Brazilian records of the 60s. One problem in South America was that musicians got totally uncredited, so lack of information is an extended disease, but he worked on some Baden Powell and Gilberto Gil records. He also started one of Brazils first independant record labels in 1969 called 'Savoya Discos'.
He seems to have a lot of LPs just called 'Ed Lincoln' and a lot called 'Seu piano e Seu Orgao Espectacular' (translated on some Argentinean pressings as 'Ed Lincoln and his amazing organ and piano'). It´s very likely you'd find this stuff among the LP collection of any Brazilian middle class family. Judging from the labels the two LP's I have of this name are early 60's. Both seem to be performed by Ed Lincoln on Piano and Organ, a small rhythm section and a singer or small chorus (maybe just the group singing). Later into the 60's the line-up expanded to include some brass, a guitar and flute.
Seu piano e Seu Orgao Espectacular LP (Musidisc - Masterpiece Series XPL-12)
Nunca Mais - Confissao - Eu Nao Tenho - Onde Morar - Amanha Eu Vou -
T'aimer Follement Atire A Primera Pedra - Deus Me Perdoe - Pergunte Ao
Jao - Tristeza De Nos Dois - Lecon De Baion - Vai Com Deus. Produced by
Nilo Sergio.
Great assymetric geometric sleeve, available with at least 2 variants,
one has an LP list on the reverse, and the other has extensive sleevenotes
that one day I hope to have translated. From the label it looks (to my
british eyes) early sixties. The sleeve says Ed Lincoln, The label says
'Seu Orgao etc..', there is no writing on the spine. Christian describes
this as 'Pre-Bossa, very cool', and thats a good description. Recorded
by a small band, there is a lot of piano on here as well as the organ,
which is heavily reverbed for the sound that I always associate with skating
rinks. There is a lead vocalist on here as well as a chorus, I don't know
who, as of course all the musicians are uncredited. It is much more rooted
in the traditional Samba style than his later recordings (a similar feel
to Andre Penazzi) and some quite nice jazz guitar on a couple of tracks.
Seu piano e Seu Orgao Espectacular LP (Musidisc - Serie Masterpiece
XPL-27)
Miss Balanco - So Danco Samba - Vou Rir De Voce - Influencia - Do Jazz
- Un Samba Gostoso - Vamos Balancar - Osambaa E Bom Assim (Pra Mim) - Pra
Que - E Um Estouro - Balansamba No 1 - Tristeza - Olhou Pra Mim.
The sound is pretty harsh on this one, although it my copy is worn.
Miss Balanco, Balansamba and Tristeza are great cuts all the same. Obviously
later than the other LP judging by the catalogue number, but not much I'd
say. No production information. No sleevnotes, at least the sleeve and
label agree on the record title.
Ed Lincoln -- Orgao Espetacular . Disca (Mexico),
Early 60s
Early material by the great Brazilian organ player Ed Lincoln. This
set seems to have come from the years before his big bossa recordings,
and the tracks are a mix of more Latiny numbers, plus others that have
Lincoln's samba organ groove. Titles include "Hey There", "Acuarela Do
Brasil", "Teleco Teco", "Arrasta A Sandalia", "Locomotion", and "Jornada
Sentimental". (Dusty Groove).
Ed Lincoln -- A Volta . . . Musidisc
Recorded in 1963 (A genuine date)
Stunning! This is a beautiful mid-60s album bossa and samba organ grooves,
played by the great Ed Lincoln, one of Brazil's best organ players ever.
Unlike Walter Wanderley, Lincoln's got a sound and a style that's pretty
darn crazy, and which is filled with all sort of pyrotechnics and tricks
on the organ -- all of which are a perfect complement to the album's lively
grooves. Titles include "Amar E Bom", "Na Onda Do Berimbau", "Ai Que Saudades
Dessa Nega", "Blues Walk", "Sao Salvador", and "Palladium". (say Dusty
Groove). Also features Silvio Cesar and Orlann Divo. According to the Joaquim
Vivas interview, Lincoln and Silvio Cesar wrote this while they were recovering
from a Car Crash.
Ed Lincoln -- Ed Lincoln (reissue) (Musidisc HIFI-2149)
1968 Re-issued 1997
O Ganso - E O Cide - Querida Ali Tem - O Amor Que Eu Guardei - Balanco
Azul - Meu Querido Amor - Ya Ya - Caramba - Cochise - Eu Nao Vou Mais -
Sitiver De Ser. Produced by Nilo Sergio.
This was the first Ed Lincoln I'd heard. Wonderful wierd organ music.
The first two tracks on side one are unlike anything else I've heard, Mexican
trumpets, kazoos, The Great Ed Lincolns' mighty organ and a great samba
groove. Fun, funny, great hooks and a lovely warm production. This immediately
became a favourite record and made Ed Lincoln an obsession. For me the
immediate pleasers were O Ganso and E O Cide, I've played out Cochise,
and it goes down really well as does Eu Nao Vou Mais, which reminds me
more of pre US Walter Wanderley in his rhythmic playing.
Dusty Groove say: Next to Walter
Wanderley, Ed Lincoln was probably the other great Brazilian organ
player. We think he's better than Walt, and a lot more creative. Why? Well,
check out the cool jazzy groovers on here like "O Ganso", "Balanco Azul",
and the fantastic cut "Cochise", a tight jazzy organ dancefloor ditty.
There's also some cool weird pop stuff on here, but we can't even begin
to explain it. Nice stuff, and with a wild cover that shows some kids dancing
in a gymnasium.
Ed Lincoln -- Ed Lincoln (reissue) (Originally Savoya SV-8001 1968
re-issue whatmusic wmlp0019 2002)
Zum Zum Zum - Waldemar - O Cloro Do Bebe - Catedral - Sa Estui Aqui
- Cumba-ie - E Gover O Bicla Regu - Sack O WWoe - E Demais - Dame Coracao
- Bala Maka Coe - Bonjour
A genuine re-issue, remastered from tape. A corking LP. A bit funkier
than the dance sleeve LP, but still with plenty of fun.
Too many standouts, but 'Catedral' is wonderful, a warm slow instrumental,
'E Gover O Bicla' starts with an echoed organ stab on the beat, with trumpets
over the top and singing, then the trumpets and Organ swap places for some
thick Hammond soloing. 'Sack O Woe' is almost a mod version of the standard.
Groovy. Theres a female singer on a couple of tracks alongside Orlandivo,
most notably on the duet 'Bonjour'.
O Melhor de Ed Lincoln - (Musidisc MLP 7030)
O Ganso - The Blues Walk - Pergunte Ao Jao - Cancao Para Um Homem No
Espaco - Von Rir De Voce - A Rosa - Centenario - E O Cide - Eu Nao Vou
Mais - Miss balanco- Carioca - Na Onda Do Berimbao.
A compilation of Ed's Greatest Hits, I'd say produced some time in
the early seventies. Excellent version of 'The Blues Walk', different
to the one on his website. The label looks like the mid seventies
CBS one.
Orgao e Piano Eletrico - (Itamaraty CID 2119)
O bebeado - Sai Perere - As Galvotas - Se Voce Quiser - Hey, Amiga -
Eu Quero Cevar Voce Pra Casa (I want to walk you home) - Neblina - Meu
Barato - Eu Vou Embora - Sai, Encosta - Eu Quero Ir - Assim Nao Da.
A repressing of an early 70's recording (according to dusty groove).
Mastered off vinyl. produced by Durval Ferreira, Arranged by Ed Lincoln
and Jose Roberto Bertrami. The sound of Ed branching out into other musical
styles. Some Samba's as before, 'Se Voce Quise'r, 'Assim Nao Da' and' Meu
Barato' are pretty funky, Se Voce Quiser has a nice, but short drum break,
And 'I want to walk you home' warms up to a funky Jazz workout. 'Eu Quero
Ir' is almost Soca (with whistling), and 'Sai Encosto' is a bongo and flute
led thing thats almost a mellow batacuda. 'Hey Amiga' sounds like the English
60's group Nirvana drifting into sambaville.
Generally it has a more 70's funk feel than anything else of Ed's that
I've heard, but with some great pop moments. Oralandivo co-wrote and sang
on some of these tracks. There is a lot of messing about with the vocals
on some the tracks, reverbing and distorting, with odd vocal snatches over
the top. And some wah-wah pedal on the organ.
Other Musicians Playing with Ed Lincoln.
Drummer Wilson
Das Neves
Emílio Santiago,
Orlandivo [aka Orlan Divo, Orlann Divo] (Singer and percussionist),
Sílvio César,
Humberto Garin (Rhythm Guitar + Percussion?),
Rubens Bassini (Percussionist ),
Durval Ferreira (Electric Bass Guitar),
Luiz Bar (Double Bass)
Alex Papa (Drums)
Paulinho Trumpete,
Claudinho Roditi (Trumpet, Joined Lincolns' band 1968),
Celinho (Trumpet),
Márcio Montarroyos,
Alexandre Malheiros
Pedrinho Rodrigues (Singer)
Miltino
Dick Farney
Luizinho Eça (Pianist) (Lincoln was the 'contrabaixista' (surely
not 'Contrastock exchange operator' as translated by Alta Vista) in Eça's
trio sometime in the 50's). I imagine this is the 'Plaza Trio' and Lincoln
plays double bass.
Ed Motta (from 2000!) on the LP 'As segundas intrencoes do marwal pratico'
'Lounge King' Ed Lincoln plays on 'Conversa Mosle'
Film Soundtrack Work
Ed Lincoln is listed as providing the soundtrack for the Brazilian
film 'Adoravel
Trapalhao' A spin off from a TV comedy show starring Renato Aragão.
Directed by J.B.Tanko, 90 minutes B&W 1966.
Session Work
Ed Lincoln Played on:
Dick Farney - E
seu Jazz Moderno no Auditorio de O Globo (Odeon MOFB 3068)
Credited with playing the Bass on this LP. Perhaps it is from the beginnning
of his career.
[From Dusty Groove] Orlandivo -- A Chave Do Sucesso (reissue)
What Music (UK), 1962
Brilliant stuff -- the first album ever by samba singer Orlandivo,
a great talent who had a knack for blending samba, bossa, jazz, and a bit
of soul -- surfacing here with a sound that's quite different than most
other singers of his generation! The record features organ by the great
Ed Lincoln, grooving around in a tightly percussive bossa-inflected style
-- and the record is every bit as fresh and sparkling as the cover makes
you think! Titles include "Onde Anda O Meu Amor", "Vem Pro Samba", "Chavinha",
"Samba Toff", "Dias De Verao", "Sambadinho", "Saudade Doi Demais", "Amor
Vai E Vem", and "Frajola E Piu Piu".
This is LP is the first by what is Lincolns band. 'The key to
success' is a pun on Orlandivo's gimmick of playing samba with his house
keys, and is described by him as being Samba Balanco (for dancing) rather
than Bossa Nova.
Other Record titles
Ao teu Ouvido, Hellium label, 1959
Album Number 2
Ontem Hose Sempre
Novo Toque, 1989 (Another compilation)
Isto E Bossa Nova Vol 2 by the Bossa Jazz Trio, 2000 led by Ed Lincoln
Compilations
Brazilian Beats - (Mr Bongo's Classic Brazilian Recordings)
Mixed Brazilian recordings, The vinyl has themed sides - Modern; Funk;
Tropicalia and Bossa, the album has "Cochise" on the "Bossa Nova Trio's"
side. Strangely. Also an Orlann Divo track from his first LP (possibly re-recorded).
Samba Soul 70
There is a track by the 'De Savoya Combo' called "Jogaram O Caxanga"
that is credited here
as being performed by them with Ed Lincoln. It does have some great organ
work on it. The De Savoya Band apparantly being the house band for Lincoln's
label.
And also an Orlandivo track with what sounds like Ed Lincolns wah-wah
style organ similar to that on the "Orgao and Piano Electrico" LP, in this case played by Jao Donato.