Customer Reviews

Oceano

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

 

 

Sergio's latest CD is great. Gracinha's voice is still magical and the ballads in this CD all have that warm tropicalismo like feel to them. Caetano and Hermeto Pascoal are also featured on this album. One of the master's of Bossa Nova once again has made another great album-- a must have if you enjoyed Brasileiro!

Had the pleasure to see a live performance at Foxwoods several months ago, prior to NY's Bluenote engagement. The songs on this CD haven't given up the infectiousness of the Brazilian samba roots but are accentuated with great vocals and pulsating strong rythyms. His ability to craft a song's treatment makes the result look effortless. If in doubt, play the Rio de Janiero cut with some volume and bass! The Sergio market may not be large, but I hope he continues and the market may take more notice!

"Oceano" begins with a bang-- the outrageously terrific "Rio de Janeiro", a song guaranteed to catch your attention with its evocative rhythms and color, and terrific vocal in Portuguese. This is a song that really brings to mind the tropical color and passion of Rio.

Next is the atmospheric "Trilhos Urbanos", another song that brings you to a sultry oceanside balcony in Rio at sunset.

Unfortunatley things go downhill from these first two great songs. Oceano is too much a pastiche of styles, with different singers, much of it on the sentimental and sleepy side. Magdalena is probably the best of the rest, but it is too repetitious. Some of the songs verge on lounge music.

Sergio Mendes, in his various incarnations, has always been an artist who is quite variable in quality. At his best, he is very good indeed, but other times, unfortunately, he is rather forgettable. This is probably why he has always had a status that is rather hard to pin down.

Still if you can get a cheap copy of "Oceano" I would recommned it if only for the first two songs.

Excellent jazz mix with smooth vocals. Especially enjoyed the tracks in italian and spanish. Upbeat selections are nicely mixed with love songs.

Oi... another I thought I reviewed but never did. Oceano was the last Sergio Mendes album (outside of a best-of) before the one he released in 2006 with the Black Eyed Peas. It was somewhat of a follow-up to Brasileiro, even though it came 4 years after that release. No need to get into the history of Sergio and his trio's, Brasil 66 or Brasil 77 groups. He's a very important producer for Brazilian music. I still remember hearing the songs from this many years ago.

I actually liked this one. It starts out with a very strong and breezy "Rio De Janeiro" where his wife, Gracinha, leads the vocals as she usually does in his more recent (1-18 years) releases. It has clear key work, nice harmonica and the end bursts into a samba. "Trilhos Urbanos" follows up, and again Gracinha's voice is the highlight but the song's got great percussion work and a neat bridge. I actually have to disagree with one reviewer's take on "Madalena"... some of my friends from the Dominican Republic actually really liked that song. It's got much more energy, tropical vibe and near merengue flow. "Puzzle of Hearts" was another song I liked, with a wonderful duet in Portuguese and English. "I can only live if it is for you"... how dramatic. Another highlight to this were the tracks featuring Hermeto Pascoal, "Capivera" and "Vale De Ribeira". They have a warm tropical feel and bounce to them, albeit crazy. "Vale De Ribeira" simply sounds like you're going on carnival rides (not Carnaval).

All in all, I liked this but have to admit, it is a little dated now. The album's heavy on keyboard work, which usually tends to do do that (date music). Also, it's more so on the 'adult contemporary' side, so it's not really something that the younger generation would've flocked to. It has a mature vibe and, well, that explains why I only really remember my parents listening to it evne though, much like Brasileiro, I grew to like it later on. "Anos Dourados" (Golden Years), covered twice, proves that. But the musicianship is terrific and he's got amazing guests (Simone, Hermeto and loads more) featured. I can't really compare this to his older material (with Wanda Sa, etc.) as it's just so different so I can really just compare it to the more recent works of his. This one isn't as strong as "Brasileiro", but still very nice and certainly more Sergio-esque than his latest release with the Black Eyed Peas.

Sergio's Oceano is fantastic;full of color, warmth, rhythm, taste, regardless of ballads or up-beat cuts. Gracinha Leporace's voice is still awesome, and the collaborations of several great personalities like Gilberto Gil, Emmanuel and Zucchero are invaluable. The combination of the album? Brazilian Jazz, Samba, MPB, etc. Don't pass this album by, if you already know Sergio, you'll love this one; if you're new into the Brazilian realm of music, this CD will blow you away, purchase it a.s.a.p., you'll be thankful you did.