Lo Borges

Biography

Lô Borges, born Salomão Borges Filho on January 10, 1952, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, was a pivotal figure in Brazilian popular music (MPB) and a founding member of the influential collective Clube da Esquina. Growing up as the sixth of eleven children in the Santa Tereza neighborhood, Borges was immersed in a vibrant musical environment, gathering with friends and family to play, sing, and discuss the Beatles, jazz, and MPB. These formative years fostered his deep appreciation for musical fusion and collaboration.

At just 18, Borges was invited by Milton Nascimento—a decade his senior and already a rising star—to move to Rio de Janeiro and collaborate on what would become the landmark 1972 album 'Clube da Esquina.' This double album, blending baroque pop, folk, psychedelia, and Brazilian rhythms, is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in South American music. Borges’s own solo debut, the self-titled 'Lô Borges' (also known as the 'Disco do Tênis' for its iconic sneaker cover), was released the same year and is celebrated for its melodic inventiveness and introspective lyricism.

Though Borges’s output slowed in the 1980s and 1990s, he experienced a resurgence in the 2000s, notably co-writing the hit 'Dois Rios' for the band Skank in 2003. His influence endures through his innovative blending of Brazilian traditions with international sounds, and his compositions have been recorded by a wide range of artists, cementing his legacy as one of Brazil’s most influential songwriters.

Fun Facts

• Lô Borges’s debut solo album is popularly known as the 'Disco do Tênis' ('Sneaker Record') because of the Adidas sneakers featured on its cover.
• After releasing his first solo album, Borges briefly abandoned his music career to live as a hippie in Arembepe, Bahia.
• He was only 20 years old when he co-authored the landmark double album 'Clube da Esquina,' considered one of the greatest Brazilian albums ever.
• His compositions have been recorded by legendary artists such as Tom Jobim, Elis Regina, and Elba Ramalho.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Milton Nascimento - Senior collaborator and mentor who invited Borges to Rio and co-created Clube da Esquina, guiding his early career. (Clube da Esquina (1972), Milton (1970)) [late 1960s–1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Milton Nascimento - Co-founder of Clube da Esquina and frequent songwriting partner. (Clube da Esquina (1972), Clube da Esquina 2 (1978)) [1970s]
• Márcio Borges - Brother and lyricist, co-writer of many songs. (Paisagem da Janela, Um Girassol da Cor do Seu Cabelo) [1970s–2000s]
• Samuel Rosa - Co-writer and performer, especially in later years. (Dois Rios (Skank), live CD/DVD collaborations) [2000s–2010s]
• Beto Guedes - Clube da Esquina member and co-writer. (Equatorial) [1970s]

Artists Influenced

• Skank - Recorded and popularized 'Dois Rios,' co-written by Borges, and cite Clube da Esquina as a major influence. (Dois Rios) [2003]
• Nando Reis - Collaborator and admirer, influenced by Borges’s songwriting style. (Dois Rios (co-writer)) [2000s]
• 14 Bis - Band members were influenced by Borges’s harmonic and melodic approaches. (Covers and stylistic homage) [1980s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Um Girassol Da Cor Do Seu Cabelo (Clube Da Esquina)
2. Cravo E Canela (Clube Da Esquina)
3. O Trem Azul (Clube Da Esquina)
4. Um Girassol Da Cor Do Seu Cabelo (Para Sempre)
5. Paisagem Da Janela (Clube Da Esquina)
6. O Trem Azul (Meus Momentos)
7. Paisagem Da Janela (Meus Momentos)
8. Trem De Doido (Clube Da Esquina)
9. Paisagem da Janela - Ao Vivo (Tênis + Clube - Ao Vivo No Circo Voador)
10. Clube Da Esquina Nº 2 (A Via-Láctea)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia