Karen Dallas H. (kikkilu) from CHICAGO, IL Reviewed on 9/20/2010...
i give this music 5 stars. it's hard to find real samba, which is like being in a folk-ish sort of brazilian party. samba is very different from the bossa nova, so i do not understand why the two types of music are associated. samba is softer while it is wild; the bossa nova is more noise than it is true music. you'll remember some of the songs as you go on in your week--they are powerful and wonderfully primitive, too.
1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Sergio Returns to his Roots
Michael J Edelman | Huntington Woods, MI USA | 08/06/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sergio Mendes started out in Brazil as a young and highly regarded arranger. In 1965 he put together an international band and had a number of huge pop hits that combined traditional Brazilian rhythms and songs with American pop, and for a few years he was one of the most popular acts in the world. But the American and European infatuation with watered down Brazilian music faded as the British invasion began in earnest, and Mendes and his various bands fade from public view. With this album, though, Mendes has returned to a very basic and completely authentic Brazilian sound- far more authentic than the original Brasil '65 band. And it's an absolute treat. The sound of Carnival just echos through this album, and if you close your eyes you can imagine yourself in the middle of it all on the streets and beaches of Rio. Highly recommended for fans of Brazilian music, fans of Mendes, and people who just like to dance."
The Best Sergio Mendes Album
Michael J Edelman | 07/17/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is absolutely Sergio's finest work, a great fusion of American pop, Bahian samba-reggae and Rio samba, featuring the very talented Carlinhos Brown and other musical luminaries. The liner notes, by Chris McGowan, were especially helpful in shedding light on the music. I ended up purchasing McGowan's book "The Brazilian Sound" through Amazon.com and thus finding out even more about the career of Sergio and history of Brazilian music. Let's hope Mendes continues in this vein, of incorporating fresh new styles and rhythms from Brazil."
Deeply moving...
Barbara J. Major | Upper Darby, PA United States | 06/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm writing this when others have already lavished high praise on the album. There is not much I can add except to say that from the opening few seconds of the first track to the last, I was deeply moved by everything I heard on this album. Sergio is to be commended for his trip back to his roots. Brazil is indeed honored with this album and Sergio definitely deserved the Grammy award for it.Bravo, Sergio!"
Mendes' Magical Mystery Tour of Brazil
Barbara J. Major | 04/26/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Still one of my favorite Brazilian albums (I now have over 50). For those expecting simpering lounge music (I never caught Mendes in this stage, fortunately), you'll be pleasantly surprised. Much of this music is hard-driving or fanciful/experimental. What S.M. has done is really just assemble a kick-ass team of Brazilian musicians and let each go at it on different tracks, e.g. Carlinhos Brown (Magano), who is a contemporary musical genius of Afro-Brazilian Music. A lot of variety. A lot of preconceptions broken. A great album!"
Not for the kitch loving bossa nova crowd
sa92 | USA | 09/04/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I was not into this album. The first couple of tracks are exciting, whistle blowers, but the rest of the album dissolves into a fusion jazz experience that I don't go for. This is nothing like Brasil '66, which is what I was hoping for. If you like Jazz fusion w/ a couple accoustic festival numbers thrown in, this CD is for you."