Timeless

Sergio Mendes

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 2006)
• Original Release Date: February 14, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B000AA4ML8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (120 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,450 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #23 in	Music > World Music > Latin Music > Samba
  #27 in	Music > World Music > Latin Music > Brazil > 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

2006 Album by Sergio Mendes with Guests Stevie Wonder, Eryka Badu, Jill Scott, Justin Timberlake and Marcelo D2. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 41 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 (Valley Cottage, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing oddity, February 22, 2006

By	Thomas W. Altizer (Arlington, VA, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Nicki Ludwig (Spain) - See all my reviews

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...