Jorge Ben (album)

Jorge Ben
An illustration of a man with a toucan resting on his shoulder and an acoustic guitar in hand, surrounded by a collage of tropical plants and cartoon figures
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 1969
Studio
Genre
Length38:35
LanguagePortuguese
LabelPhilips
ProducerManoel Barenbein
Jorge Ben chronology
O Bidú: Silêncio no Brooklin
(1967)
Jorge Ben
(1969)
Fôrça Bruta
(1970)

Jorge Ben is the sixth studio album by Brazilian singer-songwriter and guitarist Jorge Ben. It was released in November 1969 by Philips Records. The album was his first recording for a major label since 1965 when his first stint with Philips ended due to creative differences.

Ben recorded the album alongside producer Manoel Barenbein, the vocal/percussion band Trio Mocotó, and an orchestral section arranged by José Briamonte and Rogério Duprat. It was written by Ben during his previous few years performing independently and developing his unique samba-based style. He incorporated psychedelic and soul music for this lively recording, while his quirky lyrics dealt with everyday life, romances with women, Afro-Brazilian identity, and self-awareness. Guido Alberi's iconic cover for the album also drew on psychedelic influences in its pop-art illustration of Ben and symbols of contemporary Brazilian culture.

Jorge Ben was a commercial comeback for Ben and featured several hit songs, including two of his most famous recordings "Que Pena" and "País Tropical". Critics have since associated the album with Brazil's samba rock and Tropicália musical movements. In 2008, it was released for the first time in the United States by Dusty Groove America.