Tim Maia's Tim Maia Racional Vols. 1 & 2

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 29 November 2018
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

At the peak of Tim Maia's soaring fame, he ventured into the realm of a radical, extraterrestrial-obsessed cult, resulting in the creation of two exceptional albums that solidified his status as one of Brazil's and the world's finest exponents of funk and soul music. This captivating book delves into the remarkable career of the man often hailed as the James Brown or Barry White of Brazil, as well as the transformative period of his life when he underwent a radical transformation from a musician notorious for his hedonistic lifestyle to a devoted follower of Manoel Jacinto Coelho's Rational Culture.

After joining Coelho's cult in 1974, a year marked by its initial formation as an offshoot of the mystical Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda, Maia underwent a profound shift. He abandoned drugs and alcohol, discarded his material possessions, and embarked on a mission to convert the entire nation of Brazil and the world to the revelation of Rational Culture. Thayer's exploration of this enigmatic, brief, yet incredibly prolific phase of Maia's life unveils the remarkable story of how the reigning soul and funk artist of Brazil produced two albums, an EP, and a recently unearthed tape containing nearly another full album of funky jams infused with spiritual content and scripture.

Just as swiftly as Maia was captivated by Coelho's teachings, he experienced disillusionment with the cult, renouncing and discarding everything associated with that experience. He chose to remain silent about it for the remainder of his life, unwilling to divulge any further details.

In a departure from the original format of the 33 1/3 series, which focused primarily on music, 33 1/3 Global emerges as a series related to but independent of its predecessor. This new series adopts the format of concise, music-based books, with an initial emphasis on exploring the rich musical traditions of Japan and Brazil. However, the scope of 33 1/3 Global is expansive, encompassing a wide range of musical genres and regions worldwide. Future volumes in the series will delve into the popular music of Australia/Oceania, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and many other captivating musical landscapes.

Through its captivating narratives and in-depth analysis, 33 1/3 Global offers a profound exploration of the world's musical heritage, shedding light on the diverse and captivating sounds that have shaped cultures and communities across the globe. Whether you are a music enthusiast, a cultural historian, or simply someone with a passion for exploring the beauty of sound, this series is a must-read for anyone seeking to broaden their musical horizons and deepen their understanding of the global musical landscape.

Weight: 266g
Dimension: 169 x 135 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501321535