The Serge is successful and back with his music! Brazilian keyboardist Sergio Mendez has a new album, encanto and sans any “Brazil 008”, longtime fans will not be disappointed. The minister of the “Brazil ’66, ’77, (was there an ’88?), has chosen the word that means “enchantment” in English for the album’s title – and indeed it does. He gets things off on some familiar notes with one of several U.S. vocalists used on this effort; this time it is Fergie leading an only-Sergio-can-do-it-like-this-style version of the Bacharach/David classic of forty years ago, “The Look Of Love” (purchase/download). My old friend from a night at the Cellar, circa 1990 in New York City, Siedah Garrett shines on the next “Funky Bahia” along with Will.I.Am.
Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Waters Of March” (purchase/download), cut three, is ready for airplay, and features the hot rising San Francisco club music star Ledisi. That Sergio reached-out to her isn’t hard to tell, since much of this album sessioned between Malibu and Encino California in 2007.
The meat of this collection can be heard on cuts five through eight. On “Somewhere in the Hills” (purchase/download) you have my friend Natalie Cole, recently diagnosed with the liver ailment Hepatitis C, singing the swaying Samba to the flugel horn of Till Bronner. “Lugar Comum” has an edgier cha-cha beat along with a Hip Hop monologue in the middle from the Italian rapper, Jovanotti. Suave! Then there is track seven, “Dreamer”; my choice for the best cut here which reunites Sergio with his old boss at A& M Records, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall his wife and original Brasil ’66 singer. Add combining with Sergio’s bi-lingual stylings on vocals with Herb in back and we have a sureshot bossa-jazzy song. The next song,"Morning in Rio,” (purchase/download) is more like the “Brazil 00” sound back in the days, and was expected from Mendez who made that female chorus part of his stable for those decades. The suddenly much in demand Will.I.AM pops-up again on the final two tracks, “Acode” featuring Brazil’s beautiful Vanessa da Mata, and “Agua de Beber”.
It is Sergio Mendez’s arrangements that have always driven this signature sound, and a musician/artist as seasoned as he has many connections and amigos in the business who will jam with him. I liken him to Carlos Santana – hey! What a collaboration THAT would be – in that he has the ability to draw the best collaborators because of his legend and the truth portrayed by his craft. Great, sexy cover art and insert photography too! Encanto isn’t classic, but close enough for four-and-a-half girl from Ipanema stars.
Released June 2008 on Concord Records.
