A Tábua de Esmeralda

A Tábua De Esmeralda is the 11th studio album by Brazilian singer-songwriter and guitarist Jorge Ben. It was released in 1974 by Philips Records.

Themes
The album showcases Ben's interest in theosophy, mysticism, and, above all, alchemy. Its title refers to the Emerald Tablet, a cryptic piece of Hermetica reputed to contain the secret of the prima materia and its transmutation; and its artwork incorporates drawings from Nicholas Flamel, who was historically immortalized as a great alchemist for his work on the philosopher's stone.

Mysticism and alchemy are not the only thematic territories into which Ben ventures however. In the style of Fôrça Bruta and África Brasil, Ben continues to explore his Afro-Brazilian identity with songs such as “Zumbi” and “Menina mulher de pele preta”. More simple, anodyne love songs make an appearance here as well with tracks such as “Eu vou torcer” and “Minha teimosia, uma arma pra te conquistar”. Other lyrics reflect Ben's signature fascination with the esoteric; “O homem da gravata florida” describes the details of a man's strikingly beautiful tie, while “O namorado da viúva” is about the lover of a widow. Although tracks such as these stand out as notably singular in their subject matter, “O homem...” is in fact about Paracelsus, while “O namorado…” is yet another reference to Nicholas Flamel.

Critical reception
The record was ranked by Rolling Stone Brazil as the sixth greatest Brazilian album of all time, and has been included in Tom Moon's 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die. Mike Wojciechowski from Tiny Mix Tapes considered it Ben's masterpiece.

Track listing
All tracks written by Jorge Ben, except where noted


 * 1) "Os alquimistas estão chegando os alquimistas" – 3:15
 * 2) "O homem da gravata florida" – 3:05
 * 3) "Errare humanum est" – 4:50
 * 4) "Menina mulher da pele preta" – 2:57
 * 5) "Eu vou torcer" – 3:15
 * 6) "Magnólia" – 3:14
 * 7) "Minha teimosia, uma arma pra te conquistar" – 2:41
 * 8) "Zumbi" – 3:31
 * 9) "Brother" – 2:54
 * 10) "O namorado da viúva" – 2:03
 * 11) "Hermes Trismegisto e sua celeste tábua de esmeralda" (Jorge Ben, Fulcanelli, traditional) – 5:30
 * 12) "Cinco minutos" –  2:57