Just look at this list of reviews
Like pretty much every other reviewer on here, this album completely changed my my expectations for music. I'd say it's in my top 5 ever, and would even possibly make #1 if I had to choose. There's just a magic on here that is unmatched by anything else that I have heard. I think the influence of Lô Borges is quite heavy on here, because also on my top 5 would have to be his self titled album. Lô's early solo stuff is a little closer to the sound on Clube da Esquina than the rest of Milton's, but this is not saying in any way that his sound is not as good. Both are brilliant.
Minha vida é melhor agora porque de isso música! (hey I try)

Justly Praised
A lot of reviews on Amazon are so effusive and undiscriminating that it makes me distrust all of these Amazon reviews. So I've been quite wary of all the hyperbolic praise of various CDs but have to say that this is an extraordinary record. Anyone interested in music must buy this CD -- it has a wonderful, freewheeling and lyrical quality to the music and the singing that really stands out both in Brasil and worldwide.

Great album from Milton Nascimento
This is one of the best albuns by Milton Nascimento. Great repertoire, excellent vocals. Don't miss it.

Essential
This is one of my desert island discs along with Milton's "Courage". People coming from the jazz realm may want to start with that album or perhaps his collaboration with Wayne Shorter. People coming from the rock realm should start here. The beauty and depth of this album is amazing. The many Brazilian influences along with those from the most progressive pop/rock Americans/Brits joined together with the talent and attitudes of the musicians make for an undeniable classic. Track 11 could have come forth from my psyche if I had the talent to create such a thing. That's why musicians are to be cherished because they (at their best) are expressing those things in this better language. I certainly cherish Nascimento, Borges, and the rest involved with this masterpiece.

The Best Brazilian Folk Rock Album Ever?
The recent World Cup sparked me to go searching for Brazilian music. I was familiar with a few tunes from Nascimento's Clube da Esquina LP, having seen him perform several times in Chicago. But wow-- nearly every song on this 1972 disk is either melodically compelling or flat-out inspirational. Take a listen to "Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser," "Cravo e Canela," "Nuvem Cigana," and "Cais." If you ever meet anyone curious about Brazilian music, this is one of the places to start.