Timeless (Dig)

Sergio Mendes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B000AA4ML8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (127 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,974 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #26 in Music > World Music > Latin Music > Samba
  • #46 in Music > World Music > Latin Music > Brazilian > Bossa Nova

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As you might expect, Timeless isn’t your parents’ Sergio Mendes. Take "Mais Que Nada," the opener from that topselling staple of post-60s, post-bossa, near-kitsch Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66: Greatest Hits. Here it’s no simple, slinky groove. The Black-Eyed Peas are along for the bumpin’ ride. What it amounts to is the same intercultural collision that happened when bossa nova met jazz and pop via Stan Getz’s tenor sax, except here the meeting is between the lounge and, presumably, the street. John Legend and India.Arie keep the session on a downtempo, neo Brazilian vibe on "Please Baby Don’t" and the title track (respectively). Once those are tunes end, though, it’s back to the bump and the beats and the irresistible party vibe of the set. Don’t fret, though, as the Peas keep things light enough to trigger innocent headbobs and chilled out dance steps. Just as you might hear Timeless and agree that it ain’t your parents’ Sergio, your parents can also hear will.i.am’s and the Peas’s pivotal roles and say that it’s not their kids’ Black-Eyed Peas, either --Andrew Bartlett

Product Description

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 spectacular. 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. Concord. 2006.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 42 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Sergio Mendes' Hot Update: Hip-Hop Meets Bossa Nova (4.5 stars) February 19, 2006

By Juan Mobili

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I don't know about you but I had a troubled relation with Sergio Mendes through the years, during my young and purist years I even hesitantly reneged him, although even then he was at least a guilty pleasure.

Sergio Mendes' Timeless certainly put any old concerns to bed for good, at least in my case. Black eyed Peas' Will I Am arrangements and overall production is dead-on: tight, sensual or sentimental where it needs to be, and so are his vocals, specially "That Heat" with Erykah Badu, and the glorious "The Frog" led by Q-Tip's deft rap.

To my taste, Q-Tip's take on "The Frog" which is already a shoe-in for my "best of 06" personal collection, combines everything that makes Timeless work so well: groove and soul in equal measures.

In addition to "The Frog," there are several other tracks, reminiscent of Sergio Mendes' Brasil 66 & 77's sound yet produced and enriched with contemporary touches, which might delight you. India Arie in "Timeless," John Legend in "Please Baby Don't," Jill Scott in "Let Me," or Gracinha Leporace in "Berimbau/Consolacao"-in her duet with the Stevie Wonder-are bound to touch you whether Bossa ballads or killer grooves do it for you.

Mendes has managed an album which is practically a collaboration-Will I Am's funky Hip-Hop is utterly present throughout- and still remains very much his own funky and joyous child. So, get Timeless and let your body take care of the rest.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Caipirihnas never tasted so über cool February 20, 2006

By Nicki Ludwig

Format:Audio CD

Growing up, I discovered brazilian music at the age of 13 or 14 and immediately found it intoxicating and mesmerizing.I'd listen to Astrud Gilbert amazing voice and picture perfect white beaches full of dancing people, my imagination looking a lot like the famous movie Black Orpheus. Fortunately, Brazil has come a long way from that stereotypical portrayl of every day life and bossa nova is no longer the swinging sound of 60's cocktail parties.

Those of us who love brazilian music or are open to new sounds are likely to recognize some of these names of the new brazilian school: Tribalistas, Marisa Montes, Bebel Gilberto, Carlihnos Brown or Araketu so a CD by someone from the old school like Sergio Mendes is something you'd buy to "add to the collection". Mistake !!! TIMELESS is a CD any savvy, cosmopolitan and über cool music lover and/or DJ should include in their next party, this being in a 45th floor over looking Manhattan, a beach bar in Ibiza or just in your normal hanging out sunday brunch. This CD sets the mood for some serious dancing, that is, sexy dancing.

Will.I.Am, of the Black Eyed Peas, project of using timeless tunes with contemporary singers is brilliant. Starting with Mas que Nada, the TBEP sound blends perfectly, making you get of your seat a must, then soundly you have rap and Erykah Badu vocals make you feel like you're in the getto brazilian style. Stevie Wonder's harmonica never sounded so relaxed and Jill Scott's voice takes us to a land where the sunset is the best time of the day, as does India Arie. Justin Timberlake gives us another reason for thanking him for leaving a boy band and going solo, and John Legend the why of his recent Grammy Nomination.

So do yourself a favor, dim the lights, mix a caipirinhna and let Brazil make your day ! Sergio Mendes legacy lives on...

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing February 15, 2006

By Burkatude

Format:Audio CD

Upon hearing of this hip-hop/samba fusion I was skeptical, at best. Having been a Mendes fan since the early days of Brasil '66 I imagined the worst. Am delighted to report it works on every level and is not to be missed. Look for this one at next years Grammy awards...LP Of The Year anyone?