Sergio Mendes' third project for the Concord label, "Bom
Tempo" will be released in the USA on May 4. It's the
follow-up to the best-selling "Timeless" and the not so
successful "Encanto," including 12 new arrangements for
old tunes like Luiz Carlos Vinhas' "Ye-Me-Le," Antonio
Carlos Jobim's "Só Tinha de Ser Com Você, "João Donato /
Gilberto Gil's "Emoriô," Jorge Ben's "País Tropical,"
Stevie Wonder's "The Real Thing" (recently covered by
Bebel Gilberto) and Milton Nascimento's acid-jazz anthem
"Caxangá" (aka "Escravos de Jó" which the late Dom Um
Romão turned into a dancefloor hit in the 90s). The first single is Carlinhos Brown's "You and I" to
be distributed to radio stations this week. In Japan,
where the CD was already released on March 31st, it
includes another version (this time re-constructed by
Studio Apartment DJs) of "Mas Que Nada" (how many more
will come???!!!???) as a bonus track exclusively for Asian
territories.
Sergio Mendes, producer, composer, arranger pianist,
band leader and cultural sage, continues his magical
ride with Bom Tempo, a beautiful slice of rhythmically
fresh inspiration from the internationally celebrated
artist. He remains as vibrant and vital today as he was
when leading Brasil '66 to international superstardom.
Mendes' modern sensibilities and ultra sensitivity to
the intricate and beautiful Brazilian musical language
he himself helped create has always been his focus. Bom
Tempo expands the maestro's use of color, texture and
street derived energy, highlighting his mastery of
authentic Brazilian rhythms and composition. In the end,
Bom Tempo is a brilliant summer day celebration.
"This is bom tempo music, good times music," says the
Brazilian-born, U.S.-based Mendes, who sought to sum up
the CD with a succinct Portuguese title. "It's all about
the good times, good weather, good tempos. The album is
about the diversity, joy and sensuality of Brazilian
music-songs I previously recorded and some that I never
have-played by Brazilian and American musicians."
Bom Tempo showcases songs from the crème de la crème of
Brazilian songwriters (including Antonio Carlos Jobim,
Gilberto Gil, Joao Donato, Carlinhos Brown, Jorge
Benjor, Milton Nascimento and Moacir Santos) and a song
from his old friend Stevie Wonder, written especially
for Mendes in 1977, the simmering "The Real Thing"
(first recorded on Sergio Mendes and the New Brasil '77
album). While many of Mendes' friends and long time
collaborators are present on the album (including
drummers Mike Shapiro and Vinnie Colaiuta, bassists
Nathan Watts and Alphonso Johnson, guitarists Paul
Jackson Jr. and Kleber Jorge, percussionist Gibi,
vocalist Gracinha Leporace-the bandleader's wife-and
songwriter-arranger-vocalist Carlinhos Brown, who was
integral to the success of the Brasileiro album),
newcomers are also in the mix.
Most prominent is Milton Nascimento, who contributes his
own "Caxanga," a moody, mysterious children's song that
he had only recorded once. He sings the lead vocal in
his singular style and plays the acoustic guitar. Other
standout musicians include Seu Jorge, one of Brazil's
most promising singers, who is featured on two
songs-"Maracatu Atomico" and "Maracatu Nation of Love";
young and talented singers Katie Hampton and Nayanna
Holley and the brilliant horn section of Andrew Lippman
and Bill Churchville all beautifully arranged by their
colleague Scott Mayo. Prominent guitarist Jack Majdecki
joined Mendes on this latest project as did gifted,
versatile Brazilian rhythm designer, musician Mika
Mutti.
Bom Tempo opens with a spirited, chant-like take on the
Gil/Donato song "Emorio," featuring Holley and Brown on
lead vocals. The latter contributes a funky rap that
pays tribute to Brazil's songwriters. In the
Afro-Brazilian mix are allusions to such Mendes' hits as
"Mas Que Nada" and "The Frog." The second track, another
dance-oriented jewel, "Maracatu Atomico," was a
first-time rendering, complete with a great horn section
and percussive beat, based on the Afro-Brazilian
maracatu rhythm. Another song on the CD with the rhythm,
"Maracatu (Nation of Love)" is a samba-infused beauty,
featuring a gorgeous Jorge/Leporace conversation-like
duet and luminous horns.
Bom Tempo features new interpretations of some Brazilian
classics, including a fresh spin on "Ye-Me-Le", with a
cool rap performed by new band member H2O and a remake
of "Magalenha" (from the Grammy-winning Brasileiro
album) that features great steel guitar, rap and body
percussion contributions from Brown. Says Mendes:
"Carlinhos was in Los Angeles for two weeks, so we
decided to work on a new, special version of the song he
wrote. I said, let's do a 2010 version that not only
exhibits great Brazilian music but also pays tribute to
the World Cup games this year. Because those soccer
games will be played in Cape Town, South Africa, I had
the idea of using some Zulu words as part of the song."
Proud of his Brazilian heritage and aware of the magic
and seduction of his homeland's music, Mendes notes, "It
started with Jobim, being played by Stan Getz and
Charlie Byrd with Astrud and Joao Gilberto; then it was
myself with Cannonball Adderley; Ron Carter, Frank
Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald recording with Jobim, and later
David Byrne putting those compilation albums of a
variety of Brazilian musicians playing all kinds of
styles. He adds, "More recently (with Timeless and
Encanto) the attraction continues, with will.i.am , John
Legend, India.Arie, Fergie, and so many more, who love
the music so much and were instrumental in helping to
expose it to people in their audience. Even for Bom
Tempo, when I met the 20-year-old DJ guys Bimbo Jones in
London, they were totally into watching YouTube videos
of Brasil '66. It just goes to show you that Brazilian
music has a universal appeal and it IS timeless... " And
so is Sergio Mendes.
* * *
A few days later, on May 18, Concord will issue a companion
remix album, featuring some of today's most famous DJs and
remixers tackling the infectious beats from "Bom Tempo."
Sergio Mendes, "Remixed from Bom Tempo", Concord Records
#_____________ (May 18, 2010).[CD]
This is the companion album to "Bom Tempo" pictured and
listed above.
Tracklist:
1. Emorio (PAUL OAKENFOLD) 2. You and I (CUTMORE) 3. Magalenha (MOTO BLANCO) 4. Maracatu Atomico (PAUL OAKENFOLD) 5. The Real Thing (BIMBO JONES) 6. So Tinha De Ser Com Você (NICOLA CONTE) 7. Orpheus (MIKE RIZZO) 8. Maracatu Nation of Love (MARIO C.) 9. Pais Tropical (KASKADE) 10. Ye-Me-Le (DJ CHUCKIE) 11. Mas Que Nada 2010 Remix (NERVO)
Sergio Mendes, "Bom Tempo Brasil Remixed", Concord
Records [Japan] #UCCO-1103 (2010).[CD with one Bonus
Track]
This album contains one Japan only bonus track "You And
I" (Shinichi Osawa Remix).
Album produced by Sergio Mendes.
Sergio Mendes, "Bom Tempo One Hour Radio Special",
Concord Records (no catalog number) (unknown year).[CD
Recording of Radio Special, 54 minutes]
Tracklist:
Billboard Intro
Part 1
Break 1
Part 2
Break 2
Part 3
Promo Spot
Hosted by Rita Houston, WFUV, New
York.
Produced by Joyride Media.