HERB ALPERT PRESENTS SERGIO MENDES & BRASIL '66 [1966]

After bouncing around Philips, Atlantic, and Capitol playing Brazilian jazz or searching for an ideal blend of Brazilian and American pop, Sergio Mendes struck gold on his first try at A&M (then not much more than the home of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass and the Baja Marimba Band). He came up with a marvelously sleek, sexy formula: dual American female voices singing in English and Portuguese over a nifty three-man bossa nova rhythm/vocal section and Mendes' distinctly jazz-oriented piano, performing tight, infectious arrangements of carefully chosen tunes from Brazil, the U.S., and the U.K. The hit was Jorge Ben's "Mas Que Nada," given a catchy, tight bossa nova arrangement with the voice of Lani Hall soaring above the swinging rhythm section. But other tracks leap out as well; the obvious rouser is the Brazilian go-go treatment of the Beatles' "Day Tripper," but the sultry treatment of Henry Mancini's "Slow Hot Wind" and the rapid-fire "Tim Dom Dom" also deserve mention.  by Richard S. Ginell 
Tracklist 
1 Mas Que Nada 2:41
Jorge Ben 
2 One Note Samba/Spanish Flea 1:49
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Julius Wechter 
3 The Joker 2:42
Leslie Bricusse / Anthony Newley 
4 Going out of My Head 3:07
Teddy Randazzo / Bob Weinstein 
5 Tim Dom Dom 1:56
João Mello 
6 Day Tripper 3:07
John Lennon / Paul McCartney 
7 Agua de Beber (Water to Drink) 2:32
Norman Gimbel / Antônio Carlos Jobim 
8 Slow Hot Wind 2:34

Norman Gimbel / Henry Mancini 

9 O Pato (The Duck) 2:00
Jayme Silva / Neuza Teixeira 
10 Berimbau 3:16
Ray Gilbert / Baden Powell 
Credits 
Bass, Vocals – Bob Matthews
Drums – João Palma
Percussion, Vocals – José Soares
Producer – Herb Alpert
Vocals – Janis Hansen, Lani Hall
Vocals, Keyboards, Arranged By – Sérgio Mendes

HERB ALPERT PRESENTS SERGIO MENDES & BRASIL '66 [1966]

RM [2006] Verve / CBR320 / scans

O Púbis da Rosa

DONATO E SEU CONJUNTO - Chá Dançante [1956] Remastered / 2008

 From the cover it appears this is one of those albums to be filed under "for dancers only," but Chá Dançante is a delightful collection of breezy instrumentals. And as one of the earliest albums recorded by influential and talented Brazilian pianist João Donato, it has quite a pedigree as well. With leads coming from clarinet most often, it's not an album for Brazilian fans only. Donato's piano obviously plays a large role, as does accordion (which often doubles the lead instrument) and percussion. The instrumentation rarely rises above ten voices, making it a full-fledged small-group date. As befits a Latin dance LP from the '50s, Esquivel is the closest comparison, especially on "Baiao."   by John Bush
Tracklist 
1 Comigo É Assim 2:21
Written-By – Jose Menezes, Luiz Bittencourt
2 No Rancho Fundo 2:24
Written-By – Ary Barroso, Lamartine Babo
3 Se Acaso Você Chegasse 2:57
Written-By – Felisberto Martins, Lupicínio Rodrigues
4 Carinhoso 2:57
Written-By – João De Barro, Pixiguinha
5 Baião 2:42
Written-By – Humberto Teixeira, Luiz Gonzaga
6 Peguei Um Ita No Norte 2:53
Written-By – Dorival Caymmi
7 Farinhada 2:42
Written-By – Zé Dantas
8 Baião Da Garoa 3:08
Written-By – Hervé Cordovil, Luiz Gonzaga

DONATO E SEU CONJUNTO - Chá Dançante [1956]

EMI ‎– Series: Celebrate 50 Years Bossa Nova –  Remastered / 2008

 CBR320 / scan

O Púbis da Rosa