Customer Reviews

Timeless (Dig)

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

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.

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...

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?

The beats and instrumental aspects of the remixes are just fine, even good, but the rap is too simplistic for a serious listen. This stuff works as hip party background music where you've got enough people noise to quell Will I Am. Not on your car or your ipod where you'll actually have to listen to him.

I have been listening to this non-stop for 2 weeks. I simply can't get enough. It is so deep, so layered, so real that just when I think Ive grasped a hold of it, it slips through my fingers and my mind again.

It brings back memories of late-afternoon picnics at a park in the warm heat of the San Fernando Valley, eating watermelon. All the working class people are there. We share, we laugh. We try to understand each other's languages and accents. The adults eat and drink too much and the kids run around like wild animals and get into all kinds of trouble. Everyone goes home and sleeps really good.

Listening to this makes me feel alive, vibrant, a part of it all. It reminds me of street fairs and seeing live music all over Los Angeles. I reminds me of listening to Stevie Wonder in my Uncle Stevie's VW Bug with the windows rolled down. You will literally be a better person after listening to this set.

The topics are so reminiscent of the 70s and the 90s. The war, relationships, families, children, love, betrayal, fear, faith. Its all there, tugging at you like a Francis Ford Coppola or Steven Speilberg flick. One minute you're rocking out like "oh yeah, this is a smooth jam," the next minute, you're thinking "damn things arent right, and I can do something."

The calculated placement of Marvin Gaye's "Whats Going On" in the song "Loose Ends" is an example of how these guys know how to send a mass, thought-provoking message without everyone even being able to fully grasp how deep it is until days, weeks or even years later. This is punk rock refined for the people.

I'm already overwhelmed and I haven't even mentioned the all the featured artists like Stevie Wonder, Q-Tip, Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and Jurrasic 5.

I know Ive only scratched the surface here but this is the internet, not the New York Times and I'm writing all this just for the sheer pleasure of sharing, not the desire to earn something, get something or prove something. All I can really say is I would listen if I were you.

I first picked up a sampler cd on Melrose last weekend while visiting in L.A. (gotta love them free music!) We loved some of the beats & we were completely impressed with the sea of talents involved in this record. I was not a huge Samba/bossa nova follower, so I had never heard of Sergio Mendes, only to find out after 2 minutes of reading online that he is one the biggest producers in this genre. Last night we're at Target randomly shopping, and there was not a second of hesitation to buy the record when we saw it on display.

Ok enough blab - We think ths album is one of the best compilation albums we've bought in our lives. Highly recommend -good beats, good talents, easy to listen to, great for entertaining, great for any occasion! (Angie & Chris/SF, CA)

From the OBJECTIVE reviewer...you cannot mash the old (Sergio) with the new (Will.i.am & company) and be successful if you can't keep the spirit of the original and yet give it a fresh sound. They missed the bossa nova boat.

Borrowing a page from the Santana recipe book, Sergio Mendes updates his sound by taking a generous sprinkling of popular artistes, and blending them in to spice up this album. Not that the Brazilian samba and bossa nova beats aren't spicy on their own, but thanks to the hot hip hop, soul, Latin, Caribbean and pop guest artistes, this album sizzles, bringing a taste of Sergio to a new generation.

Just glance down the track listing and you'll see will.i.am (lots of him) and The Black Eyed Peas, neo-soul goddess Erykah Badu, legendary Stevie Wonder, red hot John Legend, and pop boy band graduate Justin Timberlake, as well as India.arie, Q-Tip, Mr. Vegas and more.

Tracks to look for are the first single "Mas Que Nada" (a Sergio Mendes staple, but as you've never heard it before); "That Heat" (the Erykah Badu / will.i.am collaboration); the reggae track "Bananeira" and the ever-so smooth "Please Baby Don't" with John Legend.

With something for everybody, this album would be a great pick for any music lover on your list, and don't forget to treat yourself also. Rated: 4.5 stars



Amanda Richards, July 22, 2006

I doubt that you'll hear this CD pumping from cars and boom boxes in the hood, but if you do, there will be hope for civilization after all! A lot of heavyweight talent is showcased on "Timeless" but the real star is the music of Sergio Mendes, a master piano man with a most illustrious calatogue. Hearing some age-old favorite songs recast in this contemporary mode is fun and underscores the broad appeal of the bossa/samba sound! Stevie Wonder's remarkable harmonica, the voices of India.Arie, Jill Scott and others are all wonderful. Q-Tip's appearance is a typical rap ego session (announcing himself over and over...we get it already, you call yourself "Q-Tip [heavens knows why]), but aside from that minor irritation, this is a CD bound to have play life well into the spring and summer. Sergio Mendes gettin' his props! It's about time!

I have to admit that I was not familiar with Sergio Mendes by name or face. When I saw his latest CD in the store, I was intrigued by his face. I was tempted to buy it, but was afraid it might not be worth it. Then I saw an ad in VIBE magazine in which the names of the guest artists were listed. I ran right out and bought it and it's the best CD I've bought since John Legend's "Get Lifted" and Kanye West's "Late Registration!" "Timeless" is the bomb! I love this CD! I saw Sergio, the Black-Eyed Peas, India Arie, Erykah Badu, Justin Timberlake(who I now have a new found respect for-he can really sing!) in a live concert on DIRECT TV on 3/14/06 and this made the purchas even more worthwhile! Without a doubt, Mr. Mendes is an ultra-talented musician! The pairing of Bossa Nova and rap was a brilliant idea! This CD not only shows-off Mendes' talent, but that of will. i. am! I was not really into the Black Eye Peas before, but after this effort, I am now a fan! Every song on "Timeless" is worth listening to over and over. I especially love the title cut with India.Arie; I love Ms. Badu's vocals on "That Heat." It's classic 60s' cool at its best. "Loose Ends" featuring Justin Timberlake and Pharoahe Monch and will. i. am is the perfect mix of sweet vocals and smooth rap. Plus, how can one not love the tune "Berimbau/Consolacao featuring Stevie Wonder's beautiful, somber harmonica! Jill Scott does a wonder job on "Let Me." This album reminds me a little of the work the jazz/rap group, Digable Planets (the avante guard, Grammy-winning group) did in 1993. The marriage of rap and jazz has proven to be a perfect union once again. This is a must have for any true, serious music lover! I missed American Idol to listen to this CD over and over and over....