According to an article appearing 6/1 in the L.A. Times, Sergio has been signed to A&M Records and will be working on a new album in the fall, as Sergio Mendes & Brasil 2004.
SERGIO SIGNED TO A&M!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter Steve Sidoruk
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martin
Well-Known Member
Hey, what great news, and quite fun too in a way. I wish they would sign Herb too for a duet album with John Pisano! That could have been a great project. I just heard John play in L.A. and he sounds as good as ever. (See my enthusiastic report in the Beat of the Brass section) Anyway, it will be really interesting to hear what the 2004 version of Sergio and Brasil on A & M is going to sound like.
- greetings from the north -
Martin
- greetings from the north -
Martin
I see a pattern developing. Sergio signs with A&M in decades that begin with an even number. '60s, '80s, and now '00s.
Seriously, this is great news. I'm hoping that the new album will be as good or better than the last one, the excellent Oceano from 1996. It'll be terrific just seeing the Sergio Mendes name on an A&M labelled disc.
Harry
AP (About-to-Play): Oceano, Sergio Mendes
Seriously, this is great news. I'm hoping that the new album will be as good or better than the last one, the excellent Oceano from 1996. It'll be terrific just seeing the Sergio Mendes name on an A&M labelled disc.
Harry
AP (About-to-Play): Oceano, Sergio Mendes
Not only is this exciting news, but it feeds my fantasy of seeing a strong core of artists bring about the spin-off of A&M from UNI/Seagrams/IGA or whatever these product vendors call themselves these days.
Maybe it won't be long until we hear Herb is working on his next album. He might consider collaborating with some newer artists for some tracks, similar to what Santana has done in recent years.
JB
Maybe it won't be long until we hear Herb is working on his next album. He might consider collaborating with some newer artists for some tracks, similar to what Santana has done in recent years.
JB
Short version is that it will be Sergio and contemporary artists doing revived Sergio material...Brasil 2004. Here's the article:
Will.i.am minds Peas and crews
By Steve Hochman
Special to The Times
June 1 2003
The last three years were full of uncertainty for Black Eyed Peas leader will.i.am, with the group's status in flux, changes in his personal life and the emotional effect of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which came just two weeks before the release of his first solo album.
Life seems a lot more solid right now. Not only do Black Eyed Peas have a new album, "Elefunk," due June 24, but will has also just been named vice president of artists and repertoire by A&M Records, the Interscope Records label that is releasing the Peas' album.
The executive post was the idea of Interscope Chairman Jimmy Iovine and A&M President Ron Fair, a response to the initiative the musician displayed in a number of projects and relationships (including an MTV2 show last year and a Dr Pepper commercial), and his ability to attract top-line talent. The Peas' new single, "Where Is the Love," features the seemingly unlikely collaboration between the "conscious rap" group and pop star Justin Timberlake, and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs asked will recently to work with him on some new tracks
"Jimmy was excited people were gravitating to me, like Puffy, and hooking up with Justin on our own," he says. "He liked my hustle."
Although he's had the job (and a will.i.am Music label imprint along with it) for only a few weeks, he's already made two signings. The first is a solo deal with singer Fergie, who provides a powerfully soulful vocal presence on the new Peas album. The other is more surprising: Sergio Mendes, the bandleader best known for his string of bubbly '60s hits (on A&M) with his group Brasil '66. Will plans to start producing an album with Mendes in the fall following the Peas' summer tour, which includes dates opening for Timberlake and Christina Aguilera.
"That came through Ron Fair," he says. "We have this Brazilian song on the album, 'Sexy.' I took the song to Ron at the last minute and he said, 'That's great. I know Sergio. Have him play on the song.' And when we were working together, I said, 'Why don't we take some of your old songs and get people like Erykah Badu and others to sing, redo the classics?' So it's Sergio Mendes and Brasil 2004."
Will also is working on his second solo album, with guest appearances by KRS-One, MC Lyte and other rappers. He'll release it through Barely Breaking Even, a London club-music enterprise, with a corporate assist from Zima, the Coors beverage brand. It's a natural tie-in, he says, due to the party nature of the record.
"We have all the creative control," he says. "I wanted to think of fresh ways to put out music. So I had a meeting with these people, said we could help the product and they could allow artists to be artists, endorse art."
Will.i.am minds Peas and crews
By Steve Hochman
Special to The Times
June 1 2003
The last three years were full of uncertainty for Black Eyed Peas leader will.i.am, with the group's status in flux, changes in his personal life and the emotional effect of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which came just two weeks before the release of his first solo album.
Life seems a lot more solid right now. Not only do Black Eyed Peas have a new album, "Elefunk," due June 24, but will has also just been named vice president of artists and repertoire by A&M Records, the Interscope Records label that is releasing the Peas' album.
The executive post was the idea of Interscope Chairman Jimmy Iovine and A&M President Ron Fair, a response to the initiative the musician displayed in a number of projects and relationships (including an MTV2 show last year and a Dr Pepper commercial), and his ability to attract top-line talent. The Peas' new single, "Where Is the Love," features the seemingly unlikely collaboration between the "conscious rap" group and pop star Justin Timberlake, and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs asked will recently to work with him on some new tracks
"Jimmy was excited people were gravitating to me, like Puffy, and hooking up with Justin on our own," he says. "He liked my hustle."
Although he's had the job (and a will.i.am Music label imprint along with it) for only a few weeks, he's already made two signings. The first is a solo deal with singer Fergie, who provides a powerfully soulful vocal presence on the new Peas album. The other is more surprising: Sergio Mendes, the bandleader best known for his string of bubbly '60s hits (on A&M) with his group Brasil '66. Will plans to start producing an album with Mendes in the fall following the Peas' summer tour, which includes dates opening for Timberlake and Christina Aguilera.
"That came through Ron Fair," he says. "We have this Brazilian song on the album, 'Sexy.' I took the song to Ron at the last minute and he said, 'That's great. I know Sergio. Have him play on the song.' And when we were working together, I said, 'Why don't we take some of your old songs and get people like Erykah Badu and others to sing, redo the classics?' So it's Sergio Mendes and Brasil 2004."
Will also is working on his second solo album, with guest appearances by KRS-One, MC Lyte and other rappers. He'll release it through Barely Breaking Even, a London club-music enterprise, with a corporate assist from Zima, the Coors beverage brand. It's a natural tie-in, he says, due to the party nature of the record.
"We have all the creative control," he says. "I wanted to think of fresh ways to put out music. So I had a meeting with these people, said we could help the product and they could allow artists to be artists, endorse art."
Okay everyone...deep breath...okay...YEAH!!!! 
Jon
...doing a Brasilian version of an Irish jig, online...
Jon
...doing a Brasilian version of an Irish jig, online...
Captain Bacardi
Well-Known Member
I don't know, I have some reservations on how this story reads. I'm glad Sergio has signed to A&M, but I have mixed feelings about him just rehashing the old songs with new singers. On the one hand I'm sure it's possible that kids today will rediscover the old stuff since they would be using singers like Erykah Badu and maybe others who are more popular with kids today. On the other hand, it will never be as good as the original releases, and that just smacks of blatant commercialism. No originality at all. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it plays out.
Capt. Bacardi
Capt. Bacardi
You know, Captain, I agree with you. However, this does put Sergio before a younger crowd; introduces him to a new generation. In reality, I was of the hope he would record the standards he's performed on stage lately -- the Jobim stuff.
Granted, Badu (and maybe Sade?) would make excellent choices for Brasil 2004. However, what will become of Jessica Taylor and Gracinha? Dawn Bishop and Frances Benitez -- great singers all. I'm with you...we'll have to wait and see how this plays itself out.
Jon
Granted, Badu (and maybe Sade?) would make excellent choices for Brasil 2004. However, what will become of Jessica Taylor and Gracinha? Dawn Bishop and Frances Benitez -- great singers all. I'm with you...we'll have to wait and see how this plays itself out.
Jon
martin
Well-Known Member
While I tend to agree with Cain Bacardi on this (we all know Herb rejected the idea of disco versions of his own hits back in 1979 and instead got his biggest single success ever with "Rise".) Yet, on the other hand, it is nearly forty years since "Mas Que Nada" and "Herb Alpert presents.." and instead of new artists coming up with recycled Sergio Mendes, like the Fugees did with Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly", why not have Sergio do it himself and make a new generation discover this fabulous timeless music.
- greetings from the north -
Martin
Martin has a point. Why not Sergio do it himself? Sort of like the "sampled" artist getting into the studio before their material does. Hey! I like that!! When you think about it, it's a rather original idea -- good point Martin! 
Jon
Jon
Hey Everyone...
Let's not forget to thank Steve for the information on Sergio's upcoming project.
Thanks Steve! You've given us something to think about for a while!!
Jon
Let's not forget to thank Steve for the information on Sergio's upcoming project.
Thanks Steve! You've given us something to think about for a while!!
Jon
Lord Lurking
New Member
Jon said:
Does anyone know what the "Ladies" are up to currently? Is it not possible that they would be part of this ressurection? I like the idea of Sade and Sergio.....mmmmm...nice feel. Does the name of the group mean that that's how long we can all expect to wait?
Terry
TulitaPepsi
Well-Known Member
I have to admit to some VERY mixed feelings. On one level, it would be great to have Sergio introduced to a new audience (even though he's always been there for the 'new' audience to rediscover) But will the "New Brasil 2004" sound like Sergio - or Puffy Combs? And a lot depends on the choice of singers. Will Gracinha or Lani (keeping fingers crossed)l be in the mix? And of the new singers: Sade or Basia? OH PLEASE YES! Queen Latifah? Works for me. J.Lo, Britney or Mad Doughnut? Uhh...no. And I admit to not being overly wild about NEW versions of B'66 classics. Given a choice, I'd much rather hear Mendes versions of NEW material.
Lord Lurking
New Member
MasterLcZ said:
Is Lani still in the picture? I thought that she was long gone. She did some solo stuff and then seemed (to me at least) to disappear. What has she been doing lately? Anyone know?
Terry
Lord Lurking said:Is Lani still in the picture? I thought that she was long gone. She did some solo stuff and then seemed (to me at least) to disappear. What has she been doing lately? Anyone know?
Terry
Lani did a fair number of solo albums through the '70s and early '80s, when she did three Spanish-language albums, also for A&M under the AyM Discos imprint. After that she settled down to just being Mrs. Herb Alpert and raising daughter Aria, occasionally appearing on a record or two of Herb's.
In the late '90s, she revisted the Brazilian material of her youth by releasing a solo album called Brasil Nativo. Dory Caymmi guested throughout, as does Herb and his trumpet. Herb also co-produced the album for the Windham Hill Jazz label. After one other appearance on a Windham Hill Christmas album (A Jazz Christmas), with "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and a guest vocal on Herb's Colors album, we've not heard much from Lani.
Harry
NP: radio at work
Hmmm...Sergio revisited "Mais Que Nada" on the ARARA album and it was ... not that great.
Lani revisted the same song on BRASIL NATIVO and it ...(IMHO!) was even less great.
So now we're probably going to have a new album kicking off with "Mais Que Nada" again.
I'll snap it up like an eager kid, but I'll have low expectations. Pretty hard to "improve" on something that's perfect to start with.
Lani revisted the same song on BRASIL NATIVO and it ...(IMHO!) was even less great.
So now we're probably going to have a new album kicking off with "Mais Que Nada" again.
I'll snap it up like an eager kid, but I'll have low expectations. Pretty hard to "improve" on something that's perfect to start with.
Mike Blakesley said:
Have to agree with that--Arara is a headache-inducing mess. Not the music, but the cluttered, noisy production really forced me to store it on the rack more than listen to it. I can imagine what today's over-compressed CD sound would do to any new Mendes recording...especially if Univer$al has their hand in it. Hearing a remake of anything usually sends me back to the original.
I won't go into Brasil Nativo again, but Lani's version is very similar to, and even in the same key as, a version in the 60's by Luiz Henrique that I like. For the most part, his version is very sparse, with little more than a guitar for accompaniment. His version works very well...can't say I've heard Lani's more than once.
Aside from the original Brasil '66 version (which is still my overall favorite), Tamba Trio's version is excellent with the tight three-part harmonies and instrumental work. Runs a very close second.
A reminder -- The album ELEPHUNK by Black Eyed Peas (featuring the song "Sexy" which features Sergio Mendes on keyboards) will be released next Tuesday, the 24th and is produced by will.i.am, who also will be producing the "Brasil 2004" disk discussed above. Listener reports welcome!
Lord Lurking said:
Gracinha is touring with Sergio when her schedule allows. Always a treat to see her onstage with the band. As far as I know, Jessica is working with Mendes and doing solo/session work in the L.A. area. Carol Rogers has retired from the Mendes organization and moved on to singing as "Mama O" and acting. Frances had a baby and appears with Sergio every once in a blue moon -- mostly as a fill-in when Jessica, Gracinha or Dawn are not available. Not sure what Dawn Bishop is doing other than teaching (she's a music professor from Boston University) and singing with Mendes -- most likely session and/or solo work around the Los Angeles area.
I'm sure the girls will be used on the recording to some degree. We'll have to wait and see. As for a release date? Anyone's guess is as good as mine. Sergio was supposed to release an album two years ago, but didn't. I imagine the project will be completed sometime around late 2003 and released in 2004.
Jon
Brasil_66_Fan
Well-Known Member
Captain Bacardi said:
I wholeheartedly agree! Trying to cover Sergio's 'perfect' songs with modern artists (RAP, HIP-HOP?!?) even with Sergio involved sure does sound like a strictly commercial venture, maybe with his "name" thrown in to enhance sales. In any case, I'd want to hear some tracks before I'd even think of buying this, especially if he's not producer/arranger. Sure hope this isn't gonna be detrimental to his artistic integrity...
Brasil_66_Fan said:
Agreed in regard to Rap and Hip-Hop versions of the classics...it'll be rather interesting to hear what they come up with. However, Sergio do something detrimental to his artistic integrity? I'm with you. I hope not.
My family and I were talking about the new project this evening during dinner. When we talk about the "Classics," to what are we referring? I mean, the album could be composed of anything from "Bim Bom" to "Night & Day" (which seems to be a popular 'comeback' song these days...it's used in a number of TV commercials.) It's hard to tell what the album will be composed of, what it will sound like, who will participate, etc.
In short, all we can do is wait and hope that it will bring Sergio another audience, another hit and another chance to show a new generation what Sergio is all about.
Jon
Brasil_66_Fan said:
Sadly, given today's pop music trends, the reverse is likely true. Sergio's next album will likely sell better due to the appearance of Erykah Badu (how the hell do you pronounce that anyway?) and other current and "hip" artists...
--Mr Bill
reminding others that most people still think "Diamonds" is a Janet Jackson song featuring Herb Alpert...
Captain Bacardi
Well-Known Member
Mr Bill said:
It's pronounced Erica Ba-DOO. I remember seeing an interview a couple of years ago, and she tried to convince the interviewer that she speaks in Badu-isms, whatever that means.
Mr Bill said:
You mean it's not?
Capt. Bacardi
Captain Bacardi said:
Well, I knew the badu part... How the hell else would you pronounce it? It was the "ERYKAH" part that confused me. Sh!t! If it's pronounced "Erica" the why the hell didn't she spell it that way!?!? All this time I've been saying " Eh RYE kuh"
--Mr. Bill
next thing someone will tell me "Avril Lavigne" is pronounced "April Le Veen" and not "AV rel La VIG nee"
You know, I AM holding back a serious diatribe on this "pronunciation" issue. I'll save it for FAO, I guess. Ebonics aside, I am one who sticks to the rules of American English pronunciation... much to the annoyance of my family and friends (and younger coworkers who have some whacked up names from their generation)...
--Mr Bill
about to launch. Bette's Davis and Midler... I'm sorry they're either both "Bet" or "Betty" -- and you can guess which way I go on that since I don't drive a Corvetty or smoke a cigaretty...
--Mr Bill
about to launch. Bette's Davis and Midler... I'm sorry they're either both "Bet" or "Betty" -- and you can guess which way I go on that since I don't drive a Corvetty or smoke a cigaretty...
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