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Sal Klita Blogger

Tuesday, January 31

Sergio Mendes Is Still Alive....? mmm...Aint The Man Is Timeless Kind Of Guy? Well, No Doubt. At The Age Of 65, He Hit Again

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Timeless is the magnificent new album by the legendary Sergio Mendes. Produced by and featuring Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas, this album is a wholly original synthesis of music from the man who--40 years ago--brought Brazil 66 and "Mas Que Nada" to the world. Timeless beautifully blends the urban culture of Brazil, samba and bossa nova with the urban culture of America, hip hop and rap, the results of which are truly Nice. Putting together the project, Will and Sergio, of course, brought in the Black Eyed Peas. They also recruited some of the biggest urban-pop artists of the last several decades, each a Sergio fan, to contribute to various tracks. Featured artists include Erykah Badu, Justin Timberlake, India.Arie, Q-Tip, John Legend, Jill Scott, Stevie Wonder, and members of the Roots and Jurassic 5. (Info By Amazon)

Sergio Mendes
"TIMELESS":

1. "MAS QUE NADA": Sergio & will.i.am thought it was a great idea to remake it in a bossa nova/hip hop style, to expose it to a new generation on the 40th anniversary of Sergio's first recording of it.

2. "THAT HEAT": Contains a sample of "Slow Hot Wind" and it was Will's idea to sample it and bring Erykah into this very catchy track.

3. "BERIMBAU/CONSOLACAO": These two songs were written by legendary virtuoso guitarist/composer Baden Powell, a friend of Sergio's from the beginning of their careers, and Vinicius de Moraes. Gracinha Leporace, who is Sergio's wife and also a singer in his band for many years, is the lead singer on this track.

4. "THE FROG": Also recorded by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66, this song, written by popular pianist /composer Joao Donato. Will's choice of Q-Tip for the track was a perfect one.

5. "LET ME": Also written by Baden Powell with English lyrics by the extraordinary Norman Gimbel (who also wrote English lyrics for "The Girl from Ipanema" and many other Brazilian classics) and Jill Scott brings her very special touch to this bossa-nova classic.

6. "BANANEIRA": Also written by Joao Donato, this time partnered with very popular singer/composer Gilberto Gil, and features a performance by Mr.Vegas.

7. "SURFBOARD": It is impossible to speak of the great Brazilian songbook without mentioning the gems written by Jobim. It was a perfect vehicle for this "marriage" between bossa nova & hip hop.

8. "PLEASE BABY DON'T": Written and sung by John Legend with a wonderfully warm, sensual vocal and superb bossa nova arrangement; this song is one of the jewels brought in by Will.

9. "SAMBA DA BENCAO"(Samba Of The Blessing): In another song by Baden Powell, also co-written by Vinicius de Moraes, Sergio and Will bring in the #1 rapper from Brazil, Marcelo D2.

10. "TIMELESS": In this wonderful collaboration between Sergio, who wrote the melody, India.Arie, who wrote the inspired lyrics, in which she reminds us that "kindness is timeless", and Printz Board who brought in the rhythm track.

11. "LOOSE ENDS": Sergio had the idea to use the intro to his own song, "So Many Stars", recorded in 1967, with a beautiful orchestral arrangement by Dave Grusin. Justin Timberlake started singing over it, creating a great melody, with very strong lyrics. Later Will invited Pharaoh Monch to share rapping duties with him.

12. "FO-HOP": Written by Guinga, probably the most important Brazilian composer of his generation, who is also a very close friend of Sergio's, this song is a rhythmic gem. It features Guinga, Gracinha and again Marcelo D2.

13. "LAMENTO" (No Morro): This song was one of the many jewels written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes. The guitar arrangement was written by one of them, Marcus Tardelli.

14. "E MENINA": Written by Joao Donato, this time with lyrics by Gutemberg Guarabyra.. The vocals are again done by Gracinha.

15. "YES, YES, Y'ALL": This song was originally recorded by Sergio in his album entitled "My Favorite Things", which came out on Atlantic Records, in 1968. It works perfectly as a background for the very powerful raps by Black Thought, Chali 2na, Will himself, and sensual vocals by Debi Nova.

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