Composer and multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal was already an international star when he formed the wildly diverse, virtuoso Brazilian fusion band Grupo (aka Su Grupo) in 1980. In 1966, he had joined Trio Novo alongside Airto Moreira, Heraldo do Monte, and Theo de Barros. Renamed Quarteto Novo, they released a self-titled album in 1967 that launched his and Moreira's international careers. During the early 1970s, Pascoal played with Miles Davis and in Moreira's Brazilian Octopus, and did session work in Los Angeles, New York City, and Rio. He released seminal solo albums A Música Livre De Hermeto Paschoal in 1973 and the classic Slaves Mass in 1977.

After 1979's fusion set Zabumbê-bum-á, Pascoal assembled an early version of Su Grupo for 1980's Cerebro Magnetico. The original lineup included Pascoal on reeds, winds, piano, and percussion, Carlos Malta on reeds and woodwinds; Zé Eduardo Nazario, Marcio Bahia, and Pernambuco on drums and percussion; bassist and pianist Itiberê Zwarg, and pianist/keyboardist Jovino Santos Neto.

The band worked in genres from choro, frevo, maxixe, baião, jazz, fusion, forro, and samba. They issued an acclaimed self-titled debut in 1982 that garnered glowing reviews in Brazil, the U.S. Europe, and Asia. The bandmembers who appeared on 1984's Lagoa Da Canoa Município De Arapirac played tuba, piccolos, flutes, saxophones, guitar, drums, percussion, and more. 1986's Brasil Universo featured guest vocals by singer/songwriter Jane Duboc. Su Grupo followed with the acclaimed, experimental Só Não Toca Quem Não Quer in 1987. After touring their home country, Europe, and even the U.S., Pascoal and the band went on hiatus for a few years. Reunited as a septet, they issued Festa Dos Deuses for Philips in 1992. After two long world tours, they took another hiatus before reuniting for Mundo Verde Esperança in 2003.

In 2022, Far Out Recordings issued Planetário da Gávea, the earliest concert by Hermeto Pascoal Su Grupo from February of 1981 recorded in Rio's Planetário. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi