All Categories — LPs  

The start of a legend – and the very first album by Sergio Mendes' Brasil 66 group, proudly brought to the world through the godlike talents of a young Herb Alpert! Sergio was no stranger to the recording studio by the time of this set, but the record marked a real shift in his music – a change from the mostly-instrumental bossa modes he first forged back in Brazil, and a shift to warmer, sweeter pop with a nice sunny California finish – done through unique production techniques and the group's trademark two-lady lead vocals! The sound is tremendous, and is possibly heard in its purest form here – simple, focused, and given that near-perfect A&M sound through Herb's production skills. Titles include the classics "Daytripper", "Aqua De Beber", "O Pato", "Berimbau", "Mas Que Nada", and "The Joker".

A beautiful Japanese package – featuring A&M material, but in a completely unique cover, with lavish production!

Sort of a repackaging of the Brasil '65 album on Capitol – done here in a pressing by Pickwick that features a very psychedelic cover! The record's a mixed bag of tracks that has some bossa piano trio stuff, plus some vocal cuts with Wanda De Sah, the alto and flute of Bud Shank, and the occasional guitar playing of Rosinha De Valenca. The album was recorded in LA by Capitol, and has a bright West Coast 60's feel that brings out the best of Sergio's style. Cuts include "Reza", "One Note Samba", "Berimbau", "So Nice", and "Consolacao".

One of Sergio Mendes' most electric outings from the 70s – a tasty mixture of LA fusion, Brazilian rhythms, and the group's unique twin female vocal lead! The mix of sounds is wonderful – and makes for a really solid album that shows how much soul Sergio had soaked up in the decade he'd spent in as part of the LA musical scene. There's still a strong Brazilian element to the record – thanks to musicians who include Oscar Castro Neves, Claudio Slon, Paulinho Da Costa, Hermeto Pascoal, and Raul De Souza – but most of the lyrics are in English, and the tunes themselves have a blend of R&B and fusion that's plenty sunny and plenty soulful! Titles include "It's So Obvious I Love You", "Sunny Day", "Emorio", "Cut That Out", "It's Up To You", and the tasty instrumental "Shakara".

One of Sergio Mendes' most dreamy albums – quite different than both his vocal work with Brasil 66, and his smaller combo sides from Brazil! There's still a strong bossa component to the record – but the setting has Sergio's piano lines laid out over larger arrangements with a good jazz component – soloing beautifully with a grace and charm he sometimes didn't have on other projects! Arrangements are by some hip American talents – Clare Fischer, Bob Florence, and Richard Hazard – and the set's filled with bright horns, lush banks of strings, and cascading rhythms – all produced with exceptional sound, so that Sergio's piano goes gliding over the top in a manner that's similar to some of the Luis Eca albums in a similar format. Tracks include "Carnaval", "Boranda", "Nana", and "Bonita".

One of our favorite albums by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 – a perfect bridge between the simple pop of earlier records, and the group's expanding sound as the 70s approached! The warmly glowing Brasil 66 style is still very strongly in place, but the music here is all a bit hipper – tunes that show the growing sophistication of Brazilian music in the post-bossa years – picked up on by Sergio, and reworked for a larger audience in the US! The record's got some incredibly wonderful material – including a sublime cover of "Upa Neguinho", plus versions of "Casa Forte", "Canto Triste", "Lapinha", and "Laia Ladaia", a song that's a perfect fit for the group's unique style! Also includes the dreamy number "When Summer Turns To Snow", and the group's classic cover of "Scarborough Fair"!

A real classic from Sergio Mendes – probably most famous for its funky bits! The record pushes past the formula of the earlier Brasil 66 albums, and goes for a more sophisticated approach that adds in some sweet electric moments, more complicated grooves, and an overall sound that's even hipper than the group's early pop for A&M. The album features an excellent version of "For What It's Worth" that has a tight drumbreak which has been sampled often, as well as a great version of Caetano Veloso's "Lost in the Paradise" which is a good translation of the song to an American idiom! Other tracks include "Viramundo", "Stillness", "Chelsea Morning", and "Sometimes In Winter". A real gem – and one of the group's most overlooked albums!