Just discovered a new Sergio Mendes release on Wrasse Records called "The Swinger from Rio: Favourites." It's NOT the old Atlantic album, but a new career-spanning best-of with really bad cover art. Fortunately the music is better: It sports most of his chart hits and an interesting lineup of other tunes, as follows (complete with translations as noted on the release)
1.Chove Chuva (Continuous Rain) - 3:19
2.Mas Que Nada (Why No Way (Ma-SH Hay Nada)) - 2:42
3.Pais Tropical (A Tropical Country) - 2:46
4.Wave - 2:18
5.One Note Samba/Spanish Flea - 1:50
6.Night And Day - 3:08
7.The Fool on the Hill - 3:13
8.The Look of Love - 2:46
9.Ela É Carioca (She's a Child from Rio) - 2:25
10.Desafinado (Not on Tune) - 3:20
11.Pretty World - 3:19
12.Watch What Happens - 2:48
13.Look Around - 3:03
14.Like a Lover - 3:53
15.Só Tinha de Ser Com Vocé (Only Tina Goes Down With You) - 3:11
16.Puzzle of Hearts - 5:24
17.Never Gonna Let You Go - 4:17
18.Outra Vez (Once More) - 2:25
19.Trilhos Urbanos (Urban Tales) - 3:47
20.Promessa de Pescador (Promise of a Fisherman) - 3:32
21.The Frog - 2:45
22.Tristeza de Nós Dois (We Are Both Sad) - 2:13
23.Bim Bom - 1:55
24.Só Danço Samba (Jazz and Samba) - 1:59
Here is the AMG review:
The undisputed master of Brazilian-flavored pop (especially throughout the U.S.) in the '60s was Sergio Mendes, as he threw together Brazilian songs and aesthetics with American and British pieces, jazz ideals, and an original vocal format for his group (dual parallel female vocal lines). This compilation tries to cover the breadth of Mendes' reach and contributions. Primarily the works stem from four major albums with Brasil '66, including the massive hits "Mas Que Nada," "Chove Chuva," Tom Jobim's "One Note Samba," etc. Also from this period, though, are some interesting covers, from Cole Porter to Burt Bacharach and the Beatles. As a special treat beyond what the average greatest-hits album would include, a few tracks from much more recently in Mendes' career are presented. A cover of a hit for Djavan is here, as is a more recent Caetano Veloso number. The music has been preserved well, with productions cleaned up a bit for the release. Mendes is likely already on the shelves of Brazilian music fans, but this album may have a few nice additions even for them. Those who haven't heard "the Swinger from Rio" should find this album a worthwhile introduction as well. ~ Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
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So if you want a single disk that covers just about every facet of Sergio's career (well, at least the Atlantic and A&M eras, which probably contain his most favored work), this is your disk.
1.Chove Chuva (Continuous Rain) - 3:19
2.Mas Que Nada (Why No Way (Ma-SH Hay Nada)) - 2:42
3.Pais Tropical (A Tropical Country) - 2:46
4.Wave - 2:18
5.One Note Samba/Spanish Flea - 1:50
6.Night And Day - 3:08
7.The Fool on the Hill - 3:13
8.The Look of Love - 2:46
9.Ela É Carioca (She's a Child from Rio) - 2:25
10.Desafinado (Not on Tune) - 3:20
11.Pretty World - 3:19
12.Watch What Happens - 2:48
13.Look Around - 3:03
14.Like a Lover - 3:53
15.Só Tinha de Ser Com Vocé (Only Tina Goes Down With You) - 3:11
16.Puzzle of Hearts - 5:24
17.Never Gonna Let You Go - 4:17
18.Outra Vez (Once More) - 2:25
19.Trilhos Urbanos (Urban Tales) - 3:47
20.Promessa de Pescador (Promise of a Fisherman) - 3:32
21.The Frog - 2:45
22.Tristeza de Nós Dois (We Are Both Sad) - 2:13
23.Bim Bom - 1:55
24.Só Danço Samba (Jazz and Samba) - 1:59
Here is the AMG review:
The undisputed master of Brazilian-flavored pop (especially throughout the U.S.) in the '60s was Sergio Mendes, as he threw together Brazilian songs and aesthetics with American and British pieces, jazz ideals, and an original vocal format for his group (dual parallel female vocal lines). This compilation tries to cover the breadth of Mendes' reach and contributions. Primarily the works stem from four major albums with Brasil '66, including the massive hits "Mas Que Nada," "Chove Chuva," Tom Jobim's "One Note Samba," etc. Also from this period, though, are some interesting covers, from Cole Porter to Burt Bacharach and the Beatles. As a special treat beyond what the average greatest-hits album would include, a few tracks from much more recently in Mendes' career are presented. A cover of a hit for Djavan is here, as is a more recent Caetano Veloso number. The music has been preserved well, with productions cleaned up a bit for the release. Mendes is likely already on the shelves of Brazilian music fans, but this album may have a few nice additions even for them. Those who haven't heard "the Swinger from Rio" should find this album a worthwhile introduction as well. ~ Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
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So if you want a single disk that covers just about every facet of Sergio's career (well, at least the Atlantic and A&M eras, which probably contain his most favored work), this is your disk.
