Tim Maia – Racional Vol. 1

Regardless of whether this is a "bootleg" or an "unofficial bootleg" or a "grey market" reissue, this pressing sounds great. I wish they would have included a copy of the original lyric sheet, but still, this is a very budget-friendly, high-quality pressing...

Can't stop hearing this record ,
What a master piece it is

Rational culture is the standout track but there's an invisible bop at the end of it on the Sermoa reprints ... invisible but very audible.

"Unofficial bootleg"

Semantics pet peeve I need to finally address: the "bootleg" term is misused. This is NOT a bootleg. This is a "grey market issue".

A bootleg is simply a surreptitiously recorded, surreptitiously released title featuring a concert or nightclub (or studio e.g. session outtakes) performance, without having acquired permission from the artist and or song rights holder.

This Tim Maia record is not a bootleg. It is grey market ish. A grey market record, cd, tape, etc. is an illegitimate copy of a previously and legitimately released issue. Grey market issues are meant to imitate the packaging of the originals, but derive from dubious, inferior mastering sources.

The 1978 David Bowie concert recording, Slaughter In The Air, released on vinyl in 1978 is a "bootleg". Someone secretly taped the 4th April L.A. Forum show, then released it via shady and/or not-so-shady distribution. Otoh, there have been various issues of Bowie's album, The Man Who Sold The World, released by fake labels, featuring different cover images, including the original illustration artwork. These are examples of "grey market issues".

That said, a bootleg and a grey market ish have in common – they both are illicit products. Their releases are punishable by the law.

I own both Volume 1 & 2, and I can confirm these bootlegs do sound good, even on modest hifis.
The covers also look nice, printed on thick stock (but not ridiculously thick) and the image is well detailed. LPs came absolutely immaculate - not one scuff, not a hair, not the slightest sign of warping. This surprised me, considering even big labels struggle to deliver quality vinyl. Sound is really good, you can tell these records were meant to be played, not to sit on the shelf and pretend you have something valuable. They sound as good as any reissue I have from Polysom or Mr. Bongo and infinitely better than the crap Groovie Records puts out.
Yes they are bootlegs, so the moral issue is a thing, but since there are no official represses in sight, these bootlegs offer excellent value for money (as long as you pay them their retail price, which should be around €20.

Tim Maia gives, without a doubt, some of his best vocal performances in this album. The story behind it is also mesmerizing and interesting, of how he founded the Seroma label just is order to publish the album after buying back his own master tapes from RCA, who refused to put it out. The sudden change in subject matter, that stemmed from him joining a new age cult at the time, was jarring for audiences, leading to relatively poor sales at the time of its release, however, the sobriety imposed by the cult leaders onto Maia, and consequently imposed by him onto his band, contributed to some of his best vocals yet and a more thought through, soulful musicality. After his disillusionment with the cult’s leader Tim pulled the album from circulation, giving the first pressing a little bit of a rarity edge. It gained a kind of “cult” appreciation not only in Brazil but worldwide, now being regarded as one of his best albums for the tight funk edge and absolutely immaculate vocals it presents.

I don't believe an official release will sound as good as this one, especially if it comes from Polysom. Trust me: I own lots of Brazilian 1970's reissues and almost none has this quality. This edition is a great job! I've got tired of waiting for an official release, found this one for a honest price and I'm really satisfied.

I’ve owned a clean original and honestly this pressing is reeeeeally damn good! No marks or bubbles on my LP, and I think they did an excellent job not having the master tape. I’m sorry but no need to spend 400-600 on a NM original when you can just score this pressing for 30-40. And the bass totally comes through!! I’m not made of money, and this is a very very good-sounding bootleg. Would I rather give my money to Tim’s heirs? Of course!! But until they agree on terms with Luaka Bop—if ever—I’m not gonna be alive forever and this record is essential listening for any fan of funk/soul music.

When you first see the vinyl surface you will think I will sounds terrible. Super light bubbles in the surface what I know from African pressings from the seventies, but when you drop the needle It is revelation sounds awesome with good bass

I asked the Mr. Bongo records if this release is an official release or a bootleg.
They told me this is a bootleg. So I believe better to wait for an official release.