Fruto Proibido
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''Fruto Proibido'' (, in English "Forbidden Fruit") is the fourth
studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...
by Brazilian musician
Rita Lee Rita Lee Jones (31 December 1947 – 8 May 2023) was a Brazilian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Known as the " Queen of Brazilian Rock", she sold more than 55 million records, making her the most successful female artist by reco ...
and the second with the band
Tutti Frutti Tutti frutti (from Italian ''tutti i frutti'', 'all fruits'; also hyphenated tutti-frutti) is a colourful confectionery containing various chopped and usually candied fruits, or an artificial or natural flavouring simulating the combined flavo ...
, released on 30 June 1975 through the label
Som Livre Som Livre (Portuguese for "Free Sound") is a Brazilian record company that was founded in March 1969 in order to commercialize the soundtracks for TV Globo (its then parent company) soap operas and later expanded to recording studio albums. , it ...
. Seeking to reestablish her career after her 1972 dismissal from
Os Mutantes Os Mutantes (, ''The Mutants'') are an influential Brazilian rock band that were linked with the Tropicália movement, a dissident musical movement during the Brazilian dictatorship of the late 1960s. The band is considered to be one of the m ...
, Lee joined Tutti Frutti the following year and released their first collaborative album, ''Atrás do Porto Tem uma Cidade'' (1974), which underperformed commercially. The group and Lee also faced creative constraints and neglect from their then-label,
Philips Koninklijke Philips N.V. (), simply branded Philips, is a Dutch multinational health technology company that was founded in Eindhoven in 1891. Since 1997, its world headquarters have been situated in Amsterdam, though the Benelux headquarter ...
, prompting them to leave and sign with Som Livre under executive João Araújo. American producer Andy Mills, known for his work as a
sound engineer An audio engineer (also known as a sound engineer or recording engineer) helps to produce a sound recording, recording or a Concert, live performance, balancing and adjusting sound sources using equalization (audio), equalization, Dynamic range ...
for
Alice Cooper Vincent Damon Furnier (born February 4, 1948), known by his stage name Alice Cooper, is an American rock singer and songwriter whose career spans sixty years. With a raspy voice and a stage show that features numerous props and stage illusion ...
, was selected by Lee to helm the project. Musically, the album blends
glam rock Glam rock is a style of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s and was primarily defined by the flamboyant clothing, makeup, and hairstyles of its musicians, particularly platform shoes and glitter. Glam artists d ...
and
blues rock Blues rock is a fusion music genre, genre and form of rock music, rock and blues music that relies on the chords/scales and instrumental improvisation of blues. It is mostly an electric ensemble-style music with instrumentation similar to electri ...
, with lyrics addressing themes such as parental disdain, farewells, longing for freedom, self-empowerment, and narratives referencing unabashed figures like naturist actress Luz del Fuego and dancer
Isadora Duncan Angela Isadora Duncan (May 26, 1877, or May 27, 1878 – September 14, 1927) was an American-born dancer and choreographer, who was a pioneer of modern contemporary dance and performed to great acclaim throughout Europe and the United States. Bor ...
. Lee's vocals were noted for their youthful inflections, shifting from the sarcastic tone of her Os Mutantes era to a style conveying rebellion and vulnerability. ''Fruto Proibido'' marked Lee's desired artistic freedom, differing from her prior releases. She composed three of the nine tracks and was credited as a co-writer on all others. The album marked a significant increase in Lee's commercial success, reaching number seven on the
IBOPE The Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics (IBOPE based on the Portuguese language name, Instituto Brasileiro de Opinião Pública e Estatística) is a Brazilian originated global market research company. IBOPE provides data on media ...
music chart (as reported by ''
Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
'') and was the first
Brazilian rock Brazilian rock refers to rock music produced in Brazil and usually sung in Portuguese language, Portuguese. In the 1960s, it was known as , the Portuguese transcription of the line "Yeah, yeah, yeah" from the Beatles song "She Loves You". Overv ...
album to surpass 50,000 copies sold. This made it the second-highest-selling album by a Brazilian female artist that year. To promote it, Lee appeared on TV programs like ''
Fantástico ''Fantástico'' (originally known as ''Fantástico: O Show da Vida'', Portuguese for ''Fantastic The Show of Life'') is a Brazilian weekly television news program broadcast on Sunday nights on TV Globo since August 5, 1973, created by José Bon ...
'', where a music video for "Agora Só Falta Você" debuted, and embarked on the ''Fruto Proibido'' Tour, which was praised for its stage production, sound quality, and costumes. ''Fruto Proibido'' was well received by critics, with praise for Lee's vocals, instrumentation, lyrics, and more spontaneous artistic direction compared to her earlier work. Retrospectively, it is regarded as an important work in Lee's career and in the history of Brazilian rock, particularly in the context of female representation, both during the
Brazilian military dictatorship The military dictatorship in Brazil (), occasionally referred to as the Fifth Brazilian Republic, was established on 1 April 1964, after a coup d'état by the Brazilian Armed Forces, with support from the United States government, against presi ...
and beyond. Contemporary artists like
Manu Gavassi Manoela Latini Gavassi Francisco (; born January 4, 1993), better known as Manu Gavassi, is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and actress. Early life Born and raised in São Paulo, she is the daughter of broadcaster and presenter Zé Luiz and ps ...
,
Zélia Duncan Zélia Duncan (, born 28 October 1964), born Zélia Cristina Gonçalves Moreira, is a Brazilian singer-songwriter. Biography Duncan was born in Niterói, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. She moved with her family to Brasília, where she lived for ...
, and
Pitty Priscilla Novaes Leone (born October 7, 1977), better known as Pitty, is a Brazilian Rock music, rock singer. She had played in two bands, Shes and Inkoma, before starting her solo career in 2003. She has sold over 2 million copies in her care ...
have cited ''Fruto Proibido'' and its songs as an influence. The album was ranked 16th on '' Rolling Stone Brasil'''s " 100 Greatest Brazilian Music Records" and listed among the best Latin American rock albums by the American edition of ''
Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...
''.


Background

Rita Lee's music career rose during the tropicália movement as the vocalist of the band
Os Mutantes Os Mutantes (, ''The Mutants'') are an influential Brazilian rock band that were linked with the Tropicália movement, a dissident musical movement during the Brazilian dictatorship of the late 1960s. The band is considered to be one of the m ...
, formed in 1966, which included members such as bassist and vocalist
Arnaldo Baptista Arnaldo Dias Baptista (, born July 6, 1948) is a Brazilian rock musician and composer. Biography Born to pianist, Clarisse Leite, and poet, César Dias Baptista, Baptista studied classical piano from 1955 to 1959, double bass from 1962 to 196 ...
, with whom she also developed a romantic relationship. Alongside the group, Lee released two solo albums: '' Build Up'' (1970) and '' Hoje É o Primeiro Dia do Resto da Sua Vida'' (1972). This occurred because executives at
Philips Records Philips Records is a record label founded by Netherlands, Dutch electronics company Philips and in 1999 was absorbed into Netherlands, Dutch-United States, American music corporation Universal Music Group. It was founded as Philips Phonograph ...
, the band's label, did not want to invest in two Os Mutantes albums in a single year, opting instead to focus on Lee's charisma as a solo artist. In 1972, her marriage to Baptista ended. Tensions between the two manifested not only as a couple separating but also as collaborators with musical differences. Baptista and his brother,
Sérgio Dias Sérgio Dias Baptista (born December 1, 1950) is a Brazilian rock musician, composer and guitar player. Twice a Latin Grammy nominee, he is best known for his work with the band Os Mutantes and has been the only consistent member of the band, a ...
, believed the band should adopt a new aesthetic, moving toward
progressive rock Progressive rock (shortened as prog rock or simply prog) is a broad genre of rock music that primarily developed in the United Kingdom through the mid- to late 1960s, peaking in the early-to-mid-1970s. Initially termed " progressive pop", the ...
influenced by bands like
Yes Yes or YES may refer to: * An affirmative particle in the English language; see yes and no Education * YES Prep Public Schools, Houston, Texas, US * Young Eisner Scholars, in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Appalachia, US * Young Ep ...
and
Emerson, Lake & Palmer Emerson, Lake & Palmer (informally known as ELP) were an English progressive rock Supergroup (music), supergroup formed in London in 1970. The band consisted of Keith Emerson (keyboards) of The Nice, Greg Lake (vocals, bass, guitars, producer) ...
. In ''Rita Lee: uma autobiografia'' 'Rita Lee: an autobiography'' Lee claims she was a victim of this ambition: "I arrive at rehearsal and find a tense/dense atmosphere. Finally, Arnaldo breaks the ice, takes the floor, and informs me—not in these exact words, but the meaning was the same—that at this funeral, the deceased was me. 'We've decided that from now on, you're out of Os Mutantes because we've chosen to follow a progressive-virtuoso direction, and you don't have the caliber as an instrumentalist.' " Her departure from the group has been the subject of conflicting accounts over the years, with some claiming she left voluntarily. However, in 2007, Baptista admitted to ''Whiplash.net'': "I kicked Rita out of Os Mutantes. She was a banana!" In other interviews, Baptista explained the banana reference was tied to the band
Yes Yes or YES may refer to: * An affirmative particle in the English language; see yes and no Education * YES Prep Public Schools, Houston, Texas, US * Young Eisner Scholars, in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and Appalachia, US * Young Ep ...
: "Because I thought Rita was a bit 'banana', very 'for English eyes', so sometimes I prefer what's more
Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock music, rock band formed in London in 1968. The band comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones (musician), John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a he ...
and not Yes, like Rita was". After being expelled from Os Mutantes, Lee returned to live with her parents. In ''Rita Lee: Uma autobiografia'', she reveals she considered inventing a story to explain her return but ultimately confessed: "They kicked me out of the band, and before loneliness threw me under a truck, I remembered you might take me back. I swear it's only for a little while". She settled in the family's basement, where she began to heal from the emotional wounds. Over time, she started writing songs, but the right opportunity or idea to present them eluded her. This changed in May 1973 when she was invited to open for Os Mutantes at the Phono 73 festival, organized by Phonogram. Lee, however, was hesitant to debut as a solo artist. She recruited guitarist
Lúcia Turnbull Lúcia Maria Turnbull, known as Lucinha Turnbull (born 22 April 1953), is a Brazilian singer, composer and guitarist, considered the first woman electric guitarist in Brazil. Biography Born in São Paulo, Turnbull is daughter of a Scottish fat ...
, a friend from her Os Mutantes days, and named the project Cilibrinas do Éden. Their performance at the festival was met with initial apathy, which turned into boos. Lee attributed the poor reception to the "cutesy and silly" repertoire and the angel and fairy costumes they wore. Despite attempts to sustain the project, Cilibrinas do Éden did not succeed. Lee then recruited members of the band Coqueiro Verde—guitarist Luis Sérgio Carlini, bassist Lee Marcucci, and drummer Emilson Colantonio—to back her and renamed them
Tutti Frutti Tutti frutti (from Italian ''tutti i frutti'', 'all fruits'; also hyphenated tutti-frutti) is a colourful confectionery containing various chopped and usually candied fruits, or an artificial or natural flavouring simulating the combined flavo ...
, a suggestion from writer Antônio Bivar, who supported her during this new phase. She signed with Phonogram, a subsidiary of Philips, to release her first post-Os Mutantes album at the invitation of executive André Midani. However, a trip to Rio de Janeiro for recording sessions was unsuccessful due to Lee's drug use during the occasion, which displeased the label and led to the project's cancellation. Later, Lee confronted Midani in his office to reverse the decision, where she encountered singer
Tim Maia Sebastião "Tim" Rodrigues Maia (; 28 September 1942 – 15 March 1998) was a Brazilian musician, songwriter, and businessman known for his iconoclastic, ironic, outspoken, and humorous musical style. Maia contributed to Brazilian music withi ...
, who was also dissatisfied because Phonogram had altered the cover of his upcoming album without his consent. After waiting to speak with Midani, they broke into his empty office and caused significant damage. Before leaving, Lee recounts in her autobiography that Maia paused at the desk and said, "Nothing personal, okay, sweetheart?" Despite the fallout with Midani, Lee was given another chance by the label, and in 1974, ''Atrás do Porto Tem Uma Cidade'' was released. Although it produced the hit "Mamãe Natureza", Lee and Tutti Frutti left PolyGram; Lee cited the label's neglect in the album's production and the unauthorized release of "Menino Bonito" as reasons for the strained relationship.


Recording

After Lee and Tutti Frutti parted ways with Philips, they sought a new recording contract, gaining the interest of João Araújo, president of
Som Livre Som Livre (Portuguese for "Free Sound") is a Brazilian record company that was founded in March 1969 in order to commercialize the soundtracks for TV Globo (its then parent company) soap operas and later expanded to recording studio albums. , it ...
and father of singer
Cazuza Agenor de Miranda Araújo Neto, better known as Cazuza (; April 4, 1958 – July 7, 1990), was a Brazilian singer and songwriter, born in Rio de Janeiro. Along with Raul Seixas, Renato Russo and Os Mutantes, Cazuza, both while fronting Barão ...
. The group signed with the label, with Araújo guaranteeing them complete creative freedom for the project. However, Tutti Frutti was going through internal turmoil; Turnbull left due to constant clashes with Carlini and a general sense of
machismo Machismo (; ; ; ) is the sense of being " manly" and self-reliant, a concept associated with "a strong sense of masculine pride: an exaggerated masculinity". Machismo is a term originating in the early 1940s and 1950s and its use more wi ...
surrounding a woman playing guitar in a rock band. Colantonio, meanwhile, was replaced on drums by Franklin Paolillo. For the album's preparation, Lee moved to a borrowed house near the
Ibiúna Ibiúna is a municipality in the state of São Paulo (state), São Paulo in Brazil. It is part of the Metropolitan Region of Sorocaba. The population is 79,479 (2020 est.) in an area of 1058.08 km2. The elevation is 860 m. Geography Located ...
reservoir, where she spent several months living with the band members—and her two snakes—while they held daily rehearsals. The snakes were two
boa constrictor The boa constrictor (scientific name also ''Boa constrictor''), also known as the common boa, is a species of large, non-venomous, heavy-bodied snake that is frequently kept and bred in captivity. The boa constrictor is a member of the Family (b ...
s stolen from American singer
Alice Cooper Vincent Damon Furnier (born February 4, 1948), known by his stage name Alice Cooper, is an American rock singer and songwriter whose career spans sixty years. With a raspy voice and a stage show that features numerous props and stage illusion ...
during his 1974 performance in
São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...
. According to Lee, she was horrified when Cooper shook and stomped on a snake during the show, only for the animal to be retrieved by a crew member. She then "sweet-talked the security guard" and tracked down the person who took the snake. Upon finding them, she asked if Cooper "showed any noble feelings" toward the animal and was unsurprised by the negative response. There, she met Andy Mills, Cooper's
sound engineer An audio engineer (also known as a sound engineer or recording engineer) helps to produce a sound recording, recording or a Concert, live performance, balancing and adjusting sound sources using equalization (audio), equalization, Dynamic range ...
, with whom she immediately connected, and left with the snake used in the show and another, still a juvenile, that was being trained for Cooper's future performances. Mills and Lee developed a close relationship from then on, and he was invited by her to collaborate on the album's
music production A record producer or music producer is a music creating project's overall supervisor whose responsibilities can involve a range of creative and technical leadership roles. Typically the job involves hands-on oversight of recording sessions; ensu ...
. Most of the songs on ''Fruto Proibido'' were written by Lee, with a few exceptions; for "O Toque", "Cartão Postal", and "Esse Tal de Roque Enrow", she co-wrote with
Paulo Coelho Paulo Coelho de Souza ( , ; born 24 August 1947) is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist and a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2002. His 1988 novel '' The Alchemist'' became an international best-seller. Early life Paulo Coelho ...
, who had recently ended his partnership with singer
Raul Seixas Raul Santos Seixas (; 28 June 1945 – 21 August 1989) was a Brazilian rock musician foundational to the genre.allmusic Biography/ref> ''Rolling Stone'' Brazil named Seixas among the greatest artists in Brazilian music. Throughout his career, S ...
. Two other tracks, "Pirataria" and "Agora Só Falta Você", were collaborations with Marcucci and Carlini, respectively. The recordings for ''Fruto Proibido'' took place in April 1975 at Eldorado Studios in São Paulo, the first studio in Brazil to feature a 16-channel
mixing console A mixing console or mixing desk is an electronic device for Audio mixing (recorded music), mixing audio signals, used in sound recording and reproduction and sound reinforcement systems. Inputs to the console include microphones, signals fro ...
. Years later, Mills recalled the process: "I kept everyone in the same room to capture a more live feel. I think that's what made the result sound fresh. The band was very tight, so we were able to capture magical moments". During the track selection, Carlini contributed to some songs, including an incomplete piece titled "Agora Só Falta Você", starting from its "melodic line and half the lyrics. I went to Rita's house, and we finished it together". "Ovelha Negra" was one of the last songs to be finalized, as Carlini felt its
arrangement In music, an arrangement is a musical adaptation of an existing composition. Differences from the original composition may include reharmonization, melodic paraphrasing, orchestration, or formal development. Arranging differs from orchestr ...
was incomplete: "I thought about it so much that I dreamed the
guitar solo A guitar solo is a melody, melodic passage, instrumental section (music), section, or entire piece of music, pre-written (or improvised) to be played on a classical guitar, classical, electric guitar, electric, or acoustic guitar. In 20th and ...
and woke up whistling it". However, since the album was already in the mixing phase, the guitarist needed persistence and patience to convince Mills to include it. After many failed attempts, the producer finally took interest: "He told me, 'Did you say something about a solo for "Ovelha Negra"? Show me.' I picked up my guitar and played it. When I finished, everyone liked it".


Composition

Music critics have categorized ''Fruto Proibido'' as a
glam rock Glam rock is a style of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s and was primarily defined by the flamboyant clothing, makeup, and hairstyles of its musicians, particularly platform shoes and glitter. Glam artists d ...
and
blues rock Blues rock is a fusion music genre, genre and form of rock music, rock and blues music that relies on the chords/scales and instrumental improvisation of blues. It is mostly an electric ensemble-style music with instrumentation similar to electri ...
recording with elements of
hard rock Hard rock or heavy rock is a heavier subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and Distortion (music), distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the Garage rock, garage, Psychedelic rock, psychedelic and blues ...
. The recording features a wide range of instruments, including
guitar The guitar is a stringed musical instrument that is usually fretted (with Fretless guitar, some exceptions) and typically has six or Twelve-string guitar, twelve strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming ...
s,
acoustic guitar An acoustic guitar is a musical instrument in the string family. When a string is plucked, its vibration is transmitted from the bridge, resonating throughout the top of the guitar. It is also transmitted to the side and back of the instrument, ...
s,
Minimoog The Minimoog is an analog synthesizer first manufactured by Moog Music between 1970 and 1981. Designed as a more affordable, portable version of the modular Moog synthesizer, it was the first synthesizer sold in retail stores. It was first popul ...
, and
synthesizer A synthesizer (also synthesiser or synth) is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis a ...
s. Brazilian music academics Alexandre Saggiorato and Edemilson Antônio Brambilla note that the lyrics "do not seem to directly reference the political issues of the time but rather describe the ideals of most young people of the period, such as the search for freedom and rebellion against the established order—ideals not always directly linked to politics". Lee's vocals retain a youthful inflection, no longer in the mocking tone of her Os Mutantes days but now exuding rebellion and even suffering. The authors also note that ''Fruto Proibido'' features a recurring theme in Lee's work: paying homage to admirable and famous women in history. As a feminist who never sought to follow a strict ideology, Lee drew inspiration from women who had challenged societal norms and broken
taboo A taboo is a social group's ban, prohibition or avoidance of something (usually an utterance or behavior) based on the group's sense that it is excessively repulsive, offensive, sacred or allowed only for certain people.''Encyclopædia Britannica ...
s. This artistic process would continue throughout her career: "tributes to pioneers who shook society, each in their own way". They also describe the album as a "string of interconnected beads, stitched together by classic
rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock-n-roll, and rock 'n' roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from African ...
songs with powerful guitar
riff A riff is a short, repeated motif or figure in the melody or accompaniment of a musical composition. Riffs are most often found in rock music, punk, heavy metal music, Latin, funk, and jazz, although classical music is also sometimes based ...
s, but with one standout feature: the great mentor and performer of the album was a woman". "Dançar Pra Não Dançar" opens the album by recounting the story of American dancer and choreographer
Isadora Duncan Angela Isadora Duncan (May 26, 1877, or May 27, 1878 – September 14, 1927) was an American-born dancer and choreographer, who was a pioneer of modern contemporary dance and performed to great acclaim throughout Europe and the United States. Bor ...
, a woman who broke dogmas and taboos, much like Lee herself. Duncan, as the song states, "made history by dancing as she pleased". She was a woman who sought freedom of movement, creative spirit, and life itself. The song's arrangement, featuring a guitar solo, aims to evoke a sense of
psychedelic Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary mental states (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips") and a perceived "expansion of consciousness". Also referred to as classic halluci ...
freedom, blending glam rock influences. The second track, "Agora Só Falta Você", tells the story of a woman who decides to "free herself" from a toxic relationship. From this moment, as the lyrics suggest, she pursues her personal dreams and finds joy in being herself, as evident in the lines: "In the air I breathe / I feel pleasure / in being who I am / in being where I am". Notably, despite her elevated self-esteem, she still seeks love and romance, though it is not her priority. "Cartão Postal" is a blues rock
ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and song of Great Britain and Ireland from the Late Middle Ages until the 19th century. They were widely used across Eur ...
addressing a classic theme of romantic songs: farewell or the end of a relationship. With a tone of advice, the track resembles the guidance of a youthful mother or older sister, encouraging a lighter approach to life without suffering. The title track, "Fruto Proibido", subverts the image of the 'deceitful and treacherous woman' depicted in popular imagination, epitomized by
Eve Eve is a figure in the Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible. According to the origin story, "Creation myths are symbolic stories describing how the universe and its inhabitants came to be. Creation myths develop through oral traditions and there ...
, the first woman according to the
Bible The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) originally writt ...
. With a performance that is both
ironic Irony, in its broadest sense, is the juxtaposition of what, on the surface, appears to be the case with what is actually or expected to be the case. Originally a rhetorical device and literary technique, in modernity, modern times irony has a ...
and candid, somewhat naive yet mischievous, she delivers the lines: "To eat the forbidden fruit / don't you find it irresistible? / In this fruit lies hidden / paradise / I know the fruit is forbidden / but I fall into temptation". Meanwhile, "Esse Tal de Roque Enrow" features
sarcastic Sarcasm is the caustic use of words, often in a humorous way, to mock someone or something. Sarcasm may employ ambivalence, although it is not necessarily ironic. Most noticeable in spoken word, sarcasm is mainly distinguished by the inflectio ...
lyrics. The song simulates a phone call from a mother worried about her rock-loving daughter, calling a
psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are physicians who evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental ailments or strictly ...
to "cure" her, saying: "She doesn't even come home anymore, doctor, she hates my dresses / My daughter is a serious case, doctor / She's now living with this guy named Roque Enrow". Implicitly, the song critiques the
moral A moral (from Latin ''morālis'') is a message that is conveyed or a lesson to be learned from a story or event. The moral may be left to the hearer, reader, or viewer to determine for themselves, or may be explicitly encapsulated in a maxim. ...
izing norms surrounding women in a conservative Brazil. The young woman in the story defies societal expectations, such as marriage, stability, and conformity, instead embracing a life outside the norm. The sixth track, "O Toque", explores the magical connection between humans and the universe. It also touches on the empowerment of the protagonist, though the message is not explicitly
feminist Feminism is a range of socio-political movements and ideology, ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social gender equality, equality of the sexes. Feminism holds the position that modern soci ...
. In "Pirataria", Lee continues her theme of autonomy and emancipation, but without resorting to
cliché A cliché ( or ; ) is a saying, idea, or element of an artistic work that has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning, novelty, or literal and figurative language, figurative or artistic power, even to the point of now being b ...
s. The opening lines convey irreverence and rebellion not as slogans, as in protest songs of the past, but through disruptive and raw rock, driven by powerful drums and guitar: "Who said it can't be? / I don't know why / I can do anything! / They told me not to say / I don't know what / but I'm not mute". Lee's delivery is playful, adding another layer of meaning to the song's poetry. The album continues with "Luz del Fuego", which takes its title from the stage name of Dora Vivacqua—an actress and
naturist Naturism is a lifestyle of practicing non-sexual social nudity in private and in public; the word also refers to the cultural movement which advocates and defends that lifestyle. Both may alternatively be called nudism. Though the two terms a ...
popular in Brazil in the 1940s—considered by many scholars to be one of the country's first feminists. The lyrics subtly address how women are viewed in society when they defy
social norm A social norm is a shared standard of acceptance, acceptable behavior by a group. Social norms can both be informal understandings that govern the behavior of members of a society, as well as be codified into wikt:rule, rules and laws. Social norma ...
s and expectations. The lyrical I states: "Today I represent a fruit / maybe even an apple / no, it's not a sin / just an invitation / come see me tomorrow / really!" Here, the songwriter attempts to distance the symbolism of the
apple An apple is a round, edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus'' spp.). Fruit trees of the orchard or domestic apple (''Malus domestica''), the most widely grown in the genus, are agriculture, cultivated worldwide. The tree originated ...
(and sexuality) from
sin In religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law or a law of the deities. Each culture has its own interpretation of what it means to commit a sin. While sins are generally considered actions, any thought, word, or act considered ...
and
taboo A taboo is a social group's ban, prohibition or avoidance of something (usually an utterance or behavior) based on the group's sense that it is excessively repulsive, offensive, sacred or allowed only for certain people.''Encyclopædia Britannica ...
, or perhaps to differentiate
nudity Nudity is the state of being in which a human is without clothing. While estimates vary, for the first 90,000 years of pre-history, anatomically modern humans were naked, having lost their body hair, living in hospitable climates, and not ...
from sin. ''Fruto Proibido'' concludes with "Ovelha Negra", a track that tells the story of someone expelled from their home for being the "
black sheep In the English language, black sheep is an idiom that describes a member of a group who is different from the rest, especially a family member who does not fit in. The term stems from sheep whose fleece is colored black rather than the more comm ...
" of the family—someone who doesn't conform to societal standards and embarrasses their parents. The protagonist appears to be a
bourgeois The bourgeoisie ( , ) are a class of business owners, merchants and wealthy people, in general, which emerged in the Late Middle Ages, originally as a "middle class" between the peasantry and Aristocracy (class), aristocracy. They are tradition ...
girl who "led a quiet life and enjoyed comfort" until confronted by her father. In response, she declares she is lost, searching for herself, and that it's no use for her father to call her back.


Release and promotion

''Fruto Proibido'' was released in Brazil on 30 June 1975 on
vinyl record A phonograph record (also known as a gramophone record, especially in British English) or a vinyl record (for later varieties only) is an analog signal, analog sound Recording medium, storage medium in the form of a flat disc with an inscribed, ...
. Over the years, it was reissued on cassette,
compact disc The compact disc (CD) is a Digital media, digital optical disc data storage format co-developed by Philips and Sony to store and play digital audio recordings. It employs the Compact Disc Digital Audio (CD-DA) standard and was capable of hol ...
, and vinyl again, this time by
Universal Music Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as Universal Music Group or Universal Music) is a Dutch– American multinational music corporation under Dutch law. UMG's corporate headquarters are located in Hilversum ...
. The album was also internationally made available in physical formats in Argentina, France and Switzerland. The album cover features Lee wearing a silk
nightgown A nightgown, nightie or nightdress is a loosely hanging item of nightwear, and is commonly worn by women and girls. A nightgown is made from cotton, silk, satin, or nylon and may be decorated with lace appliqués or embroidery at the breast, bus ...
and stockings with a slit on the left leg, revealing a glimpse of her thigh, seated next to her keyboard in front of her grandmother's vanity, inherited from her mother, in a
boudoir A (; ) is a woman's private sitting room or salon in a furnished residence, usually between the dining room and the bedroom, but can also refer to a woman's private bedroom. The term derives from the French verb ''bouder'' (to sulk or pout ...
setting. The album's design incorporates pink tones, symbolizing femininity, which was often marginalized and rarely associated with rock at the time. Its title references the
original sin Original sin () in Christian theology refers to the condition of sinfulness that all humans share, which is inherited from Adam and Eve due to the Fall of man, Fall, involving the loss of original righteousness and the distortion of the Image ...
described in the Bible, Eve's disobedience in eating the
forbidden fruit In Abrahamic religions, forbidden fruit is a name given to the fruit growing in the Garden of Eden that God commands mankind Taboo#In religion and mythology, not to eat. In the biblical story, Adam and Eve eat the fruit from the tree of the know ...
in the
Garden of Eden In Abrahamic religions, the Garden of Eden (; ; ) or Garden of God ( and ), also called the Terrestrial Paradise, is the biblical paradise described in Genesis 2–3 and Ezekiel 28 and 31.. The location of Eden is described in the Book of Ge ...
. Gabriela Marqueti of ''
Omelete Omelete is a Brazilian entertainment website created in 2000 by Érico Borgo, Marcelo Forlani and Marcelo Hessel that covers some subjects of pop culture such as movies, comics, music, television and video games. History In June 2000, Érico Bo ...
'' observed that it reflects "the perspective of some that women are naturally deceitful, untrustworthy, and treacherous since the dawn of humanity. For others, it's a statement that women were created to be free and question the roles imposed on them by dubious logic". However, the album faced censorship from the
Brazilian military dictatorship The military dictatorship in Brazil (), occasionally referred to as the Fifth Brazilian Republic, was established on 1 April 1964, after a coup d'état by the Brazilian Armed Forces, with support from the United States government, against presi ...
, which deemed the cover "clearly evocative of a French
cabaret Cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment featuring music song, dance, recitation, or drama. The performance venue might be a pub, casino, hotel, restaurant, or nightclub with a stage for performances. The audience, often dining or drinking, ...
atmosphere". Lee's label attempted to argue that the compositions had been approved in 1973, but the album was recalled, and its cover was later modified. To promote ''Fruto Proibido'', a music video for "Agora Só Falta Você" premiered in August 1975 on the program ''
Fantástico ''Fantástico'' (originally known as ''Fantástico: O Show da Vida'', Portuguese for ''Fantastic The Show of Life'') is a Brazilian weekly television news program broadcast on Sunday nights on TV Globo since August 5, 1973, created by José Bon ...
''. Later that year, she performed the same song on ''Globo de Ouro''. Following the album's success, two tracks, "Esse Tal de Roque Enrow" and "Agora Só Falta Você", were added to the soundtrack of the
Rede Globo TV Globo (stylized as tvglobo; , ), formerly known as Rede Globo de Televisão (; shortened to Rede Globo) or simply known as Globo, is a Brazilian free-to-air television network, launched by media proprietor Roberto Marinho on 26 April 1965 ...
telenovela '' Bravo!''. Lee also promoted the album through a tour of the same name, which began on 16 July at the Teatro João Caetano in
Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the List of cities in Brazil by population, second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the Largest cities in the America ...
and visited several other Brazilian cities, including
Porto Alegre Porto Alegre (, ; , ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian Federative units of Brazil, state of Rio Grande do Sul. Its population of roughly 1.4 million inhabitants (2022) makes it the List of largest cities in Brazil, 11th-most p ...
,
Salvador Salvador, meaning "salvation" (or "saviour") in Catalan, Spanish, and Portuguese may refer to: * Salvador (name) Arts, entertainment, and media Music *Salvador (band), a Christian band that plays both English and Spanish music ** ''Salvador'' ( ...
,
Belo Horizonte Belo Horizonte is the List of largest cities in Brazil, sixth-largest city in Brazil, with a population of around 2.3 million, and the third largest metropolitan area, containing a population of 6 million. It is the List of cities in Sout ...
,
São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...
,
Curitiba Curitiba () is the capital and largest city in the state of Paraná (state), Paraná in Southern Brazil. The city's population was 1,773,718 , making it the List of cities in Brazil by population, eighth most populous city in Brazil and the larg ...
, and
Goiânia Goiânia ( ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian federative units of Brazil, state of Goiás. With a population of 1,536,097, it is the second-largest city in the Central-West Region, Brazil, Central-West Region and the 10th-larges ...
. The tour featured elaborate stage designs and costumes; Lee wore hats, long gloves, collars, and boots, while the set simulated a long road lined with fruit trees, reflecting the album's theme. Lee commented on the tour: "Our goal is for each performance to be a celebration, joyful and relaxed, so people can take whatever they want from the show. That's why it's important for the sound to be strong and vibrant, especially now that, free from keyboards, I can dance the whole time if I feel like it". The tour was a commercial success, drawing large crowds. At the now-defunct Teatro Aquarius in
Brasília Brasília ( ; ) is the capital city, capital of Brazil and Federal District (Brazil), Federal District. Located in the Brazilian highlands in the country's Central-West Region, Brazil, Central-West region, it was founded by President Juscelino ...
, Lee performed for over 11,000 people. However, during the show, the crowd stood up and danced on the chairs, causing damage and a loss of seven thousand cruzeiros for the venue. The tour's
setlist A set list, or setlist, is typically a handwritten or printed document created as an ordered list of songs, jokes, stories and other elements an artist intends to present during a specific performance. A setlist can be made of nearly any materi ...
included songs from her previous albums and ''Fruto Proibido'', as well as
cover version In popular music, a cover version, cover song, remake, revival, or simply cover is a new performance or recording by a musician other than the original performer or composer of the song. Originally, it referred to a version of a song release ...
s of "Back in Bahia" (1972) by
Gilberto Gil Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira (; born 26 June 1942), is a Brazilian singer-songwriter and politician, known for both his musical innovation and political activism. From 2003 to 2008, he served as Brazil's Ministry of Culture (Brazil), Minister of ...
and "
Lady Madonna "Lady Madonna" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written primarily by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. In March 1968 it was released as a mono non-album single, backed with " The Inner Light". The song was recor ...
" (1970) by
the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...
. Critics praised the tour for Lee's stage presence, sound quality, and costumes.


Critical reception

The majority of critical reviews for ''Fruto Proibido'' were positive. Many music critics praised its vocals, instrumentation, lyrics, and the more spontaneous tone compared to Lee's previous works. On
AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
, editor Álvaro Neder awarded the album four and a half stars, describing it as a testament to Lee's ability to "be a singer as competent in wild ardrock as in softer ballads when she acquires a girlish, tender quality". He also called it "a document of a time when she could be truthful about her ideals". Flávio Marinho, in a positive review for ''
Manchete Rede Manchete (; lit.: Headline Network; also known as TV Manchete or only Manchete) was a Brazilian television network that was founded in Rio de Janeiro on 5 June 1983 by the Ukrainian-Brazilian journalist and businessman Adolpho Bloch. The ...
'', noted that Lee sounded more relaxed and joyful than on her previous album: "It is, above all, an irresistibly danceable record ..Rita presents herself as a much freer performer—now liberated from Lucinha Turnbull's vocal discomfort and keyboard concerns. ''Fruto Proibido'' is for relaxing and enjoying". Nelson Motta, writing in his column for ''
O Globo ''O Globo'' (, ''The Globe'') is a Brazilian newspaper based in Rio de Janeiro. ''O Globo'' is the leading daily newspaper in the country and the most prominent print publication in the Grupo Globo media conglomerate. Founded by journalist Ir ...
'', highlighted it as one of the best releases of 1975, calling it an "exemplary" rock album that for the first time captured Lee's true personality. Motta, echoing Marinho's sentiments, praised its "light, danceable, joyful, and positive" vibe, which he felt was lacking in her earlier projects and other rock artists of the time. In a retrospective review for '' Rolling Stone Brasil'', Paulo Cavalcanti gave the album five stars, highlighting "Ovelha Negra" as a sign that "Rita was already showing she would never be conventional". A critic from '' Folha de S.Paulo'' considered ''Fruto Proibido'' "more mature", "more rock and roll", and with "more serious songs" than its predecessor. The reviewer also praised the "quality of the musicians" in Tutti Frutti, who were "much better than last year", as well as Lee, who "in her sexy-sexy role, exceeds expectations, making the album highly recommendable". Similarly, Tárik de Souza of '' Veja'' noted that the album's lyrics lacked the "childish naivety" of ''Atrás do Porto Tem uma Cidade'' and instead sounded "more decisive, with some self-criticism". He concluded by saying Lee seemed ready to transition from "superstar of the timid national rock scene to first lady of youth music in general". Alberto Carlos de Carvalho of ''
Jornal do Brasil ''Jornal do Brasil'', widely known as ''JB'', is a daily newspaper published by Editora JB in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The paper was founded in 1891 and is the third oldest extant Brazilian paper, after the ''Diário de Pernambuco'' and ''O Esta ...
'' commented that the album features "well-placed vocals", "well-crafted arrangements", and "solid, well-balanced instrumentation". He added that while it didn't seem to aim for innovation, it was still "quite charming". Maurício Kubrusly in '' Jornal da Tarde'' in 1975 said that only "Dançar para não Dançar" and "Ovelha Negra" deserved praise. He also stated that "it is still too little; it would be too much of a concession to settle for this scandalous drumming, the noisy disorder of most of the accompaniments, the lack of expressiveness in the vocals. ..A production well-suited for fans of the boutique hippie style, a bit kooky and believing that rock will or can change anything."


Accolades

Based on 1,264 votes, readers of ''Revista Pop'' chose ''Fruto Proibido'' as the best Brazilian album of 1975. Lee received 2,966 votes and was named the singer of the year. In another year-end poll, this time by ''Jornal da Música'', the album ranked second among releases of the same period. In 2007, '' Rolling Stone Brasil'' ranked it 16th on its list of the 100 greatest Brazilian albums of all time, describing it as "the first
Brazilian rock Brazilian rock refers to rock music produced in Brazil and usually sung in Portuguese language, Portuguese. In the 1960s, it was known as , the Portuguese transcription of the line "Yeah, yeah, yeah" from the Beatles song "She Loves You". Overv ...
album that didn't sound like a copy of its English counterparts". The U.S. edition of the same publication ranked it 41st among the 100 greatest Latin American rock albums of all time—the highest position for a Brazilian female artist—with an editor commenting that "from the cheeky 'Esse Tal De Roque Enrow' to the anthemic 'Ovelha Negra', this self-professed black sheep found redemption in music to the very end".


Commercial performance

By August 1975, just over a month after its release, ''Fruto Proibido'' had already sold 20,000 copies in Brazil, an uncommon achievement for a Brazilian rock album at the time. Nelson Motta predicted it could reach 50,000 by the end of the year. Upon reaching this milestone, Motta described the achievement as "historic", marking the "first major popular success of a representative artist of 1970s Brazilian rock" and noting that few national artists had reached similar sales figures. On 28 August, the album debuted at number seven on the
Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics The Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics (IBOPE based on the Portuguese language name, Instituto Brasileiro de Opinião Pública e Estatística) is a Brazilian originated global market research company. IBOPE provides data on media ...
(IBOPE) best-selling albums chart, published by the American magazine ''
Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
'', which was its peak position. On the chart published by the
Nelson Oliveira Pesquisa e Estudo de Mercado Nelson Oliveira Pesquisa e Estudo de Mercado (Nopem) is an institute that surveys record sales and the most played songs in Brazil. The institute started its activities in 1964, and its survey takes into account stores in Rio de Janeiro and São Pau ...
(NOPEM) institute, ''Fruto Proibido'' made Lee the second best-selling female artist in Brazil in 1975, surpassed only by
Beth Carvalho Elizabeth "Beth" Santos Leal de Carvalho (May 5, 1946 – April 30, 2019) was a Brazilian samba singer, guitarist, cavaquinist and composer. Biography Carvalho was raised in a middle-class family in Rio de Janeiro's South Zone. Her fathe ...
, while the album ranked 12th among the most purchased albums of the period. By January 1976, 80,000 copies had been sold, a number that doubled to 200,000 by the end of that year. She was the first woman in Brazil to earn a
gold record Gold is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol Au (from Latin ) and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a brightness, bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal ...
with ''Fruto Proibido'' by
Pro-Música Brasil Pro-Música Brasil (PMB), previously Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos (ABPD) ( English: Brazilian Association of Record Producers), is an official representative body of the record labels in the Brazilian phonographic market. H ...
. As of December 2015, it is estimated that over 700,000 copies of the album have been sold.


Impact and legacy

The impact of ''Fruto Proibido'' and its legacy in Brazilian music are frequently highlighted by critics, journalists and musicians. The album's release led to Lee being referred to as the "Queen of Brazilian Rock", gaining recognition in Brazil and abroad. She often rejected the title of "Queen of Brazilian Rock", considering it "old-fashioned" and "tacky", and preferred to be called the "Patron Saint of Freedom". According to Rafael Steph's article ''A Ironia Na Festa de Rita Lee'', the album not only "became one of the greatest milestones in the Brazilian music industry" but also "paved the way for the rock movement in the decades that followed". Lia Machado Alvim, a journalist for
TV Cultura TV Cultura, or simply Cultura, is a free Brazilian non-commercial public television network headquartered in São Paulo and a part of Father Anchieta Foundation, a non-profit foundation funded by the São Paulo State Government. It focuses on ...
, noted that this was the album that finally "propelled Rita and her band to success". At the time of its release, music columnist Nelson Motta of ''
O Globo ''O Globo'' (, ''The Globe'') is a Brazilian newspaper based in Rio de Janeiro. ''O Globo'' is the leading daily newspaper in the country and the most prominent print publication in the Grupo Globo media conglomerate. Founded by journalist Ir ...
'' stated that the album not only marked Lee's first major commercial success but also the "first major popular success of a representative artist of 1970s Brazilian rock". Music journalist Pedro Hollanda noted that the album "marked a massive comeback for Rita after years of being sidelined by Os Mutantes and enduring interference from record executives trying to mold her into a more traditional female artist". Professor and researcher Eduardo Vicente observed that the album "helped break the barrier of the traditional MPB audience by bringing a poetic and musical discourse very different from the 'traditional romantic' style to a young audience that was certainly distinct from those who attended the song festivals of the previous decade". Many musicians and scholars consider the album a key influence on the Brazilian rock movement of the 1980s, which later gained widespread popularity. Vicente describes it as "the defining moment for Brazilian rock", noting that at the time, the genre had few notable artists. Lee and Tutti Frutti, Raul Seixas, and occasionally Erasmo Carlos were the main figures sustaining it before the major rock wave of the 1980s. Gabriela Marqueti of ''
Omelete Omelete is a Brazilian entertainment website created in 2000 by Érico Borgo, Marcelo Forlani and Marcelo Hessel that covers some subjects of pop culture such as movies, comics, music, television and video games. History In June 2000, Érico Bo ...
'' argued that with this album, Lee "proved that rock could be feminine and pink. Nothing in this album talks about using drugs or sleeping with
groupies A groupie is a fan of a particular musical group who follows the band around while they are on tour or who attends as many of their public appearances as possible, with the hope of meeting them. The term is used mostly describing young women, an ...
, but rather about finding personal identity and claiming one's own space. It subverts the entire idea of rock and roll tied to a macho and exhibitionist posture". Journalist Marco Antonio Cunha of ''Boomerang Music'' added that the album served as a response to sexists who tried to diminish her with rhetoric like "you need balls to play rock". Feminist writer Valeria de Oliveira Gomes cited "Fruto Proibido" and "Ovelha Negra" as examples of Lee's songs that addressed "themes like independence and freedom" during Brazil's military dictatorship. In 2023, editor Helena Tomaz observed that "despite being nearly 50 years old, the lyrics of ''Fruto Proibido'' have remained relevant over the decades. The honesty and freedom conveyed by Rita Lee never age". The author highlighted "Ovelha Negra" for "becoming a kind of anthem for Lee's fans. The song resonates and includes those who feel excluded". Thiago Nolla of CinePOP added that the song "champions identity liberation, saying it's okay not to belong somewhere—sooner or later, you'll find yourself". ''Fruto Proibido'' and its songs are considered a reference and one of the favorite albums for many Brazilian artists. Paulo Ricardo,
Pitty Priscilla Novaes Leone (born October 7, 1977), better known as Pitty, is a Brazilian Rock music, rock singer. She had played in two bands, Shes and Inkoma, before starting her solo career in 2003. She has sold over 2 million copies in her care ...
,
Manu Gavassi Manoela Latini Gavassi Francisco (; born January 4, 1993), better known as Manu Gavassi, is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and actress. Early life Born and raised in São Paulo, she is the daughter of broadcaster and presenter Zé Luiz and ps ...
, Paula Lima, and
Zélia Duncan Zélia Duncan (, born 28 October 1964), born Zélia Cristina Gonçalves Moreira, is a Brazilian singer-songwriter. Biography Duncan was born in Niterói, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. She moved with her family to Brasília, where she lived for ...
are among those who have cited it as an inspiration for their careers. For Gavassi, the album is "an emancipation and a cry for freedom" from Lee, stating: "At a time when most female singers were interpreters of lyrics written by men, she was always the author of her own story and a composer when that wasn't common". Her admiration is so great that in 2022, when invited to the '' Acústico MTV'' series, she decided to cover every track on the album under the title ''Manu Gavassi canta Fruto Proibido''. She also toured the country that year to promote the covers. Musician
Roberto Frejat Roberto Frejat, better known as Frejat (born May 21, 1962) is a musician, composer, singer and co-founder of the band Barão Vermelho. Frejat, who was born in Rio de Janeiro, is considered one of the most important people in the Brazilian Rock sc ...
described the album as "different from anything else being recorded in Brazilian rock at the time". For him, it was a turning point: "After that, everything changed. Almost every band I played in, even before
Barão Vermelho Barão Vermelho () is a Brazilian rock band. Formed in 1981 in Rio de Janeiro, it was originally led by songwriting duo Cazuza (singer) and Roberto Frejat (guitarist), who assumed the vocals after Cazuza's departure in 1985. Frejat left the b ...
, had 'Agora Só Falta Você' in their repertoire. This album will always remain in memory as something marvelous". In an interview with
Universo Online (Portuguese, 'Universe Online') (known by the acronym UOL) is a Brazilian web content, products and services company. It belongs to Grupo Folha enterprise. UOL is the world's largest Portuguese speaking portal, featuring more than 1,000 news s ...
, Pitty spoke about how Lee influenced her and cited ''Fruto Proibido'' as her favorite album by the artist, "in terms of lyrics, arrangements, tones, the band, and her vocal style at the time". She covered "Agora Só Falta Você" for the opening of the 22nd season of ''
Malhação ''Malhação'' (, ''Young Hearts'' in English) is a Brazilian soap-opera that aired on TV Globo from 4 March 1995 to 3 April 2020. The series is targeted at a teenage audience. Each season runs for about a year with cast members changing every ...
'' (2014) and performed "Esse Tal de Roque Enrow" alongside Lee for the live recording ''MTV ao Vivo: Rita Lee'' (2004). In May 2023, the Anatomia do Disco project, organized by the Porto Iracema das Artes School under the Secretariat of Culture of the State of
Ceará Ceará (, ) is one of the 26 states of Brazil, located in the Northeast Region, Brazil, northeastern part of the country, on the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic coast. It is the List of Brazilian states by population, eighth-largest Brazilian State by ...
, held a conference bringing together academics and journalists to discuss the album's contribution and legacy to Brazilian music.


Track listing


Personnel

The entire process of creating ''Fruto Proibido'' is attributed to the following credits: *
Rita Lee Rita Lee Jones (31 December 1947 – 8 May 2023) was a Brazilian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Known as the " Queen of Brazilian Rock", she sold more than 55 million records, making her the most successful female artist by reco ...
– vocals,
acoustic guitar An acoustic guitar is a musical instrument in the string family. When a string is plucked, its vibration is transmitted from the bridge, resonating throughout the top of the guitar. It is also transmitted to the side and back of the instrument, ...
, and
synthesizer A synthesizer (also synthesiser or synth) is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis a ...
*Luis Sérgio Carlini – guitars,
slide guitar Slide guitar is a technique for playing the guitar that is often used in blues music. It involves playing a guitar while holding a hard object (a slide) against the strings, creating the opportunity for glissando effects and deep vibratos that ...
, acoustic guitar,
harmonica The harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, notably in blues, American folk music, classical music, jazz, country, and rock. The many types of harmonica incl ...
, and backing vocals *Lee Marcucci –
bass guitar The bass guitar (), also known as the electric bass guitar, electric bass, or simply the bass, is the lowest-pitched member of the guitar family. It is similar in appearance and construction to an Electric guitar, electric but with a longer nec ...
and
cowbell A cowbell (or cow bell) is a bell (instrument), bell worn around the neck of free-roaming livestock so herders can keep track of an animal via the sound of the bell when the animal is grazing out of view in hilly landscapes or vast plains. ...
*Franklin Paolillo – drums and percussion *Guilherme Bueno – piano and
clavinet The Clavinet is an electric clavichord invented by Ernst Zacharias and manufactured by the Hohner company of Trossingen, West Germany, from 1964 to 1982. The instrument produces sounds with rubber pads, each matching one of the keys and respond ...
*Rubens Nardo – backing vocals *Gilberto Nardo – backing vocals *Manito –
saxophone The saxophone (often referred to colloquially as the sax) is a type of single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical body, usually made of brass. As with all single-reed instruments, sound is produced when a reed on a mouthpiece vibrates to p ...
, flute,
Hammond organ The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond and John M. Hanert, first manufactured in 1935. Multiple models have been produced, most of which use sliding #Drawbars, drawbars to vary sounds. Until 1975, sound was created ...
*Meca – photography *Geysa Adnet – graphic artist *Andy Mills – music production *Otávio Augusto – production assistance *Flávio Augusto – recording *Luis Carlos Baptista – recording, mixing *Mónica Lisboa – management *Carlos Savalla – remastering *Luigi Hoffer – remastering *Gaivota – technical assistance


Charts


Notes


References


Bibliography

* * * * * * {{cite journal, date=2020 , first=Rafael , last=Steph , journal=Revista Contemporâneos , title=''A Ironia Na Festa de Rita Lee'' , url=https://www.revistacontemporaneos.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/artigo-rock-1.pdf
Rita Lee albums 1970s Portuguese-language albums 1975 albums Som Livre albums Glam rock albums Blues rock albums by Brazilian artists