Genre
New wave and post-punk. The album fuses the singular timbre of vocalist Xana with unadorned rock energy and alternative atmospheric textures, drawing on both the British post-punk tradition and the more lyrical strand of Portuguese song - including a version of José Afonso's "No Comboio Descendente" and a musical setting of a Fernando Pessoa poem - in a sound that was immediately recognised as a defining statement of the Portuguese rock of its era.
Release
Released in June 1984 by EMI / Valentim de Carvalho It was the group's debut studio album recorded at the Valentim de Carvalho studios in Paço d'Arcos, in April 1984.
Production
Produced by the group and Francisco and Pedro Vasconcelos. Arrangements were credited to the group collectively; cover art and layout were by Rádio Macau and Luís Faria; mastering was by FCortez. The lineup comprised Xana on vocals and guitar, Flak on guitar, Alexandre on bass, Filipe Valentim on synthesizer, and Ramalho on drums.
Reception
Critics were unanimous in considering the group one of the most important in Portuguese modern music. The most successful tracks were "Bom Dia Lisboa" and "Um Dia Mais". The album established the group as a major force in the generation of Portuguese bands that emerged in the 80's, alongside Xutos & Pontapés, GNR, and Sétima Legião.
Rádio Macau
Rádio Macau formed in 1983 when guitarist Flak, guitarist-vocalist Xana, and bassist Alex first convened; keyboard specialist Filipe Valentim and drummer Ramalho later rounded out the lineup. Their self-titled debut appeared in 1984, barely twelve months after the initial rehearsals, and immediate audience enthusiasm propelled the quintet to rapid national recognition. Their second album, "Spleen" (1986), was produced by Carlos Maria Trindade, who would go on to co-found Madredeus. Their decisive commercial ascent came with "O Elevador da Glória" (1987), which reached the top of the Portuguese charts and remains the ensemble's highest-selling release. The group disbanded in the early 1990s and reunited in 2000 to record "Onde o Tempo Faz a Curva", followed by "Acordar" (2003). Xana and Flak maintained solo careers throughout the hiatus. Flak - born Carlos Maria Ramos in Lisbon in 1961 -is also a celebrated producer, having worked with Madredeus and Xutos & Pontapés, among many others.
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