Customer Reviews

Best Of Sergio Mendes and Brasil '65

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sergio Mendes has lived something of a double life as a musician. On the one hand you have the lush pop of Brasil '66, on the other you have the straight up Bossa Nova as found here. Wanda de Sa sings on about half the tracks - I'll go one step further than the previous reviewer and say she's a better singer than Astrud Gilberto - who has one of the coolest deep, breathy voices I've ever heard. The components used here are pretty basic: piano, drums, bass, guitar (courtesy of famous guitarist Rosinha da Valenca) and a little flute and sax in places, plus the vocals of de Sa. Some of the songs are sung in Portuguese, some in English, but both come off very well. This is a great CD to just relax to, have a romantic dinner, etc... (but it's only 30 minutes long, so have a back-up ready!) I highly recommend this one.

By the way, it is possible to get more Brasil 65' - even including Wanda de Sa! There's a Japanese release called "Live at the Matador" which is more of the same as here, but live, and also really good, with an outstanding version of Wanda de Sa singing "O Morro."

If you enjoy the throaty samba sounds that remind you of late night dining in a swank dinner club with plenty of candles and good wine, you must experience this CD! Wanda de Sah delivers that cool, low and sexy voice that takes you away in English and Portugese to a soft, windy place. Sergio Mendes' Trio has the latin guitar, jazz bass and percussion down to a soulful science that is timeless and relaxing. I purchased this album in a bargain bin back in the late sixties, had a friend record it to tape, then promptly wore the tape out! At last I can enjoy this great South American samba as samba was meant to be once again!!

I was 15 when I discovered "Sergio Mendes & Brazil 65". I'd never heard of Sergio Mendes, but there was something about the cover that intrigued me. This was the beginning of a love afair with Brazilian music that has never faded over the years. I played the heck out of this record. I still have it, battered cover and all in my collection. After the dawn of CD's I often looked for it in record stores, but I never found it. What a jewel to discover here! (I only wish it had the original cover.) After 36 years it has lost none of its beauty and power.

For those who are used to the more kitchy sound of Mendes and his Brazil 66, you are in for a surpise here! Mendes is playing serious 1st rate bossa nova jazz, with jazz sax great Bud Shank, they play on the same level as Byrd, Getz, and Gilberto! This is 1st rate jazz, and Wanda de Sah, even sing liek Austrid Gilberto, but she sing more in key, then out. This cd says "best of" but it is actually hr album "Brazil 65", too bad they didn't reissue it with the cool cover. Great cd!!! Sergio's finest effort!

What a great CD. I love every cut. Everyone is aware of Brasil '66 but this Brasil '65 should not be overlooked.

Most of us who enjoy Brasil 66 remember the pleasant vocals and the blend of light Brazilian rhythms and pop. Brasil 65 obviously preceded all of the success enjoyed by Sergio Mendes in the United States. He had a great idea and managed a tight band. In this release, the musicianship is just fine. The problem is the weak vocals. Perhaps the young singer needed training or development, but it sounds like notes are either missed or sour in a number of spots. This is not intended to be mean spirited but plainly objective. Nevertheless, I recommend the CD because most of the songs are quite enjoyable, especially the instrumentals. Rosinha de Valenca plays beautifully on Tristeza em Mim. She really understood the music and was an asset on the entire recording.

Of course, having Bud Shank play flute is always welcome. Bud Shank was a great alto sax and flute player and the enormous body of work that he recorded substantiates his prodigious talent. His flute work on She's a Carioca transformed a song that I never particularly liked into a work of moody atmospheric beauty. For some reason, this song sounds like it belongs somewhere in the movie Bullitt. Shank also played on The Astrud Gilberto Album, one of the earlier Gilberto musical efforts in the U.S. and a very nicely arranged and pleasant release.

This is an enjoyable CD that is worth owning if you are a fan of this facet of Brazilian music. Recommended.

This was sweet memories from the past of which I only had a record. Having the CD is so special like the beautiful music it sends. Loved it.

I've been a fan of Sergio Mendes' music for years, and I recently purchased this CD. It's awesome! Smooth, cool, and relaxing, this CD will chill you out like none other. The instrumentation is wonderful.

Great Music. Can play this all the time and never stop. It is so relaxing. Cannot say enough good things about this album.

While it would be nice to have Brasil '65 in CD format, this album is close enough to satisfy me. The only difference I detected was a minor change in phrasing in the song "So Nice."