Crônica

The first time I heard Crônica, I was hooked by that rhythm that oscillates between playful and reflective, as if the song breathed in two distinct tempos. It’s not a track that moves in a straight line: it starts with an air reminiscent of ska, but halfway through, a melodic twist creeps in, bringing it closer to reggae, without ever losing that cadence that invites you to tap your feet. What stands out most is how the guitar and bass weave together in a brief but intense dialogue, as if each note were a quick remark between two friends who understand each other perfectly. It lasts just over two and a half minutes, yet in that span it conveys a sense of urgency, as if time were pressing to say something before it’s too late.

Recorded in May and June 1986 at the RCA studios in São Paulo, Crônica appeared on the debut album of Engenheiros do Hawaii, Longe Demais das Capitais, released that same year. Back then, the band hadn’t yet defined its definitive sound: the ska and reggae that seep into this track are an echo of what they had been exploring before establishing themselves as one of the most original voices in Brazilian rock. The original lineup — featuring Humberto Gessinger on bass and vocals, Carlos Stein on guitar, Marcelo Pitz on bass, and Carlos Maltz on drums — only lasted until 1987, when Augusto Licks replaced Pitz. Yet in that brief period, they left behind a record that, though it may sound different from the rest of their discography today, holds the seed of what was to come.