More than forty years after his genre-bending – and ultimately groundbreaking – work with Brasil 66, Brazilian producer, keyboardist, composer, bandleader Sergio Mendes continues to borrow elements of traditional as well as contemporary styles from either side of the Equator and all points on the globe and seamlessly graft them to his deep Latin jazz foundations. “Every time I make a new album,” says Mendes, “it’s a new musical adventure.”
Bom Tempo represents the next artistic step on his prolific Concord journey that began with Timeless in 2006, followed by Encanto two years later. Borrowing from the songbooks of great Brazilian composers like Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento and others (plus one offering penned by American pop icon Stevie Wonder), Bom Tempo expands Mendes’ use of color, texture and street-derived energy, highlighting his mastery of authentic Brazilian rhythms and composition. The Portuguese title succinctly captures the spirit of the music within, says Mendes: “This is bom tempo music, good times music.”
“I wanted to create a collection of songs that are mostly uptempo, fresh and danceable, so that young people can relate to them,” says Mendes of his work on Bom Tempo. “I want to reintroduce great Brazilian melodies in a different way and communicate with a new audience.”
Buy the two new albums: Bom Tempo and Bom Tempo Brasil. Other recordings available: Timeless, Encanto, Brasileiro, Look Around, Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – Greatest Hits
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
