Brazilian music legend Sergio Mendes spins his remarkable magic on his newest recording, a bona fide classic! This is a kaleidoscopic album that underscores the maestro's ear for addictive melodies, as well as his ability to cast incredibly talented singers and musicians from all over the world
Customer Review: a review for Brasil '66 fans
It's been around 40 years since Mendes reached an artistic and commercial peak with several classic albums that successfully mixed bossa nova, jazz, and pop music. Those albums still sound fresh today, thanks to the terrific songs, latin rhythms and some sparkling arrangements. Since then, Mendes has experimented with mixing his Brazilian sound with folk rock, funk, dance music, hip hop, and on "Encanto," some r&b. As someone who prefers the work he did with Brasil '66 to anything more recent, to my ears the album is pleasant though generally forgettable with the exception of a few wonderful tracks. Unsurprisingly the best tracks are those with strong melodies by Antonio Carlos Jobim, in particular "Somewhere in the Hills" and "Dreamer," both of which are direct descendants of the sound of Brasil '66. "Dreamer" includes both Herb Alpert and Lani Hall, who sounds remarkably like she did when she was fronting Brasil '66. This is a genuinely stunning track and easily the best on the album. Natalie Cole sings "Somewhere in the Hills" which is appropriately jazzy and is one of Jobim's strongest melodies. Other Jobim tracks include "Waters of March" which Mendes has covered several times in the past. It's a singer's song, and sounds a little rhythmically stiff here, as it has in his previous efforts. "Morning in Rio" is also good, with a more Brazilian styled melody and a nice trombone solo. The rest of the CD is listenable, but not such that I ever want to hear most of it again. "The Look of Love" is an unnecessary remake of a good song. What made the original great was a sensational big band arrangement which has been dropped in favor of a hip hop arrangement. I liked the Brazilian styled funk of "Odo-ya" and the mellow "Catavento" with Mendes' wife on lead vocals. On the other hand, "Funky Bahia" and "Lugar Comum," the latter of which features an Italian rapper doing a little snippet of "Volare," are disposable pop/hip hop songs. If I could get into Mendes' head, I would try to convince him do an album of Jobim and Marcos Valle songs with Herb Alpert and Lani Hall and a small jazz/bossa combo. It might not sell a million copies, but it would be an artistic triumph. If you're an unreconstructed fan of Brasil '66 as I am, I can recommend this with reservations. You might be better off just downloading a handful of tracks. But "Dreamer" should not be missed.
Customer Review: Summery and enchanting.
"Encanto" follows the highly acclaimed 2006 collaboration with will.i.am Timeless and with this latest release, Sergio takes us even deeper into Brazil, having recorded all the basic tracks in Rio and Bahia and finally finishing up in in California, where the studio band included Alphonso Johnson. For "Encanto" (in Spanish for Enchantment), Mendes has also enlisted the formidable and enchantingly diverse talents of an array of guest musicians who hail from the world over. Latin superstar Juanes from Colombia and multi-talented Carlinhos Brown & Vanessa da Mata from Brazil jostle alongside the foremost Japanese pop group Dreams Come True, Belgium's Zap Mama and Italian rapper Jovanotti. This international cast is completed by the American stars Fergie, Siedah Garrett and Herb Alpert who is accompanied by his wife, original Brasil '66 singer, Lani Hall. Old smoothie Mendes gets jiggy on a selection of bossa-favourites with a raft of guest stars including the ubiquitous Will.i.am and Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, Natalie Cole and Herb Alpert et all... This new album essentially is a cross between Mendes' soft, salsa-tinged melodies and modern day R'n'B. The opening track, "The Look of Love" with rap/vocals by Fergie, is a deliciously moreish funky-fusion, and for the first third or so, the combination of Sergio's Rhodes with the hip-hopped production style is terrific. Perhaps this new version of Burt Bacharach's "The Look Of Love", which Mendes had originally transposed to bossa nova heaven in 1967 is the boldest track on "Encanto". This new interpretation, produced by Black Eyed Peas will.i.am, preserves the alluring melody of the original while bringing the song into the new millennium with crisp drum programming and a sexy rap by Fergie. Then it goes all smooth jazz on you. Not bad, though. Whether you are a Sergio Mendes fan especially the earlier stuff, Brasil 66, Equinox, etc or a Black Eyed Peas fan, or indeed R&B then there's something on this album to please everyone. I'd say for such a challenging album there are only a couple of songs that are just to heavy hip hop for me. The rest is a joy to listen to, if you are open minded about remixes and love to see what Sergio has been up to. This album is a grower. The more I listen to it, the better it gets. You will like it. Picks of the album: "The Look of Love", "Waters Of March", "Dreamer", and "Somewhere In The Hills (O Morro Nao Tem Vez)". Equinox Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Greatest Hits The Very Best of Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66
What is a Caribbean Vacation without a few cocktails and some adventure? While cruising on a BVI Yacht Charter offers some of the finest luxuries any vacation can offer, it never hurts to go ashore for some mingling with locals and a little libation. Here is a list of some of some of the best beach bars in the British Virgin Islands. Land HO!!!
ANEGADA
If you're swimming at Loblolly Bay, base yourself close to The Big Bamboo. Great lunches and a large outdoor bar just steps from the beach. Anegada Reef Hotel, Restaurant and Bar is the closest bar to the dock. This friendly establishment is popular, has a casual atmosphere, and has the freshest lobster that is to die for! Neptune's Treasure is a serene restaurant and bar further down n the beach. On weekends the bar becomes lively with music and an influx of Tortola residents looking for a weekend escape.
BEEF ISLAND
Trellis Bay
The Last Resort has been synonymous with live entertainment since the beginning of yacht chartering. Enjoy great food and live entertainment. On the south shore of the bay, there is quite an assortment of local shops, artist studios, bars and restaurants. The monthly Trellis Bay Full Moon party is anticipated all year long. Two large 'fireballs' are lit while locals dance the night away.
COOPER ISLAND
Cooper Island Beach Club is a popular restaurant and bar are obeautiful Manchioneel Beach. The island is an ideal anchorage spot to stop and have a drink while you watch the sun set over The Drake Channel.
JOST VAN DYKE
White Bay The Soggy Dollar Bar is famous for its 'Painkillers', which were actually first invented here. The original recipe is a secret family recipe. Great Harbor Foxy's Tamarind Bar has certainly changed from the early 70's. Charter vacationers used to listen to true calypso while eating lobster with all of the locals at one long table. It has grown enormously. All kinds of talented local bands and musicians play here. The music and dancing can go on late into the night. Besides the bar and restaurant, there is also a large gift shop with a wide variety of local items, including CDs and the obligatory Foxy's T-shirt. Be sure to bring something personal you can tack to the ceiling, anything from Business cards to hats and even underwear is acceptable. This place is for those who are easily offended , but most people at least stop in and have a drink.
Little Jost Van Dyke 'Foxy's Taboo' restaurant and bar is the new 'in' place. You are more likely to meet Foxy here than at his original bar. Moorings are available, but this can be a rough spot in unsettled weather.
MARINA CAY
Now owned by Pussers, this famous island resort has a bar at the very top of the island, offering great sunset views and live music some nights.
NORMAN ISLAND
The infamous Willie T is an all out party destination with plenty of drinking and wild antics. Expect the unexpected. Not recommended for children or the faint hearted! Pirates Bight offers a more relaxed way to watch the sunset, but also has music, dancing and a very popular Happy Hour with every exotic frozen drink you can imagine.
TORTOLA
At Cane Garden Bay, Quito Rhymer is an extremely popular local musician who can be found performing at his bar/restaurant, 'Quito's Gazebo'. Further down the beach, Al Henley's Big Banana Paradise Club, Rhymers Beach Bar, Stanley's Welcome Bar and Myett's Garden and Grill all offer meals, drinks and live music on selected nights that can be heard from your anchorage spot out onto the water. 'The Pub', below the Fort Burt Hotel, was the original bar in Road Town in The 60's and 70's and is a lively hot spot today. There are bars at Village Cay Marina, Mariner Inn, Pussers waterfront and many other locations in town, but these can hardly be considered beach bars, although many people visit them when embarking and disembarking from their Caribbean Yacht Charter.
VIRGIN GORDA
Spanish Town
The Bath and Turtle Pub often has live music and dancing.
The Baths
Poor Man's Bar is the ultimate watering hole to relax after snorkeling.
North Sound
Leverick Bay has a beach barbecue every Friday, with live music and entertainment. The Sand Box is a casual bar and restaurant offering lunch and dinner. The Bitter End is a large resort with shops, water sport facilities, restaurant and an English pub, but they often also have live music and entertainment. Saba Rock is an excellent restaurant and bar located on a tiny island. Enjoy the popular 2-4-1 Happy Hour, while watching a fabulous sunset over The Sound.
West End/Sopers Hole
Pussers Landing & Company Store has two restaurants and a variety of shops, but it also has a popular bar. Here's a hint, when you order your first 'Pussers Pain Killer', ask for a card. After visiting three different Pussers bars (and having a painkiller at each) you will get a Pussers Triangle Pennant you can fly from your boat - or hang at home!
While most vacationers like to enjoy the comforts of their luxury yacht charter, a true Caribbean Yacht Charter isn't complete until you stop for a cocktail at a few of the best spots in the British Virgin Islands. You never know what you'll see or who you willl meet, but you'll be sure to have some tales to tell at your own watering hole back home for years to come.
80's dance music
This miniature drum is the exact replica of the full size LP Djembe, making it attractive to collectors and musical enthusiasts alike. Made from kiln-dried, environmentally-friendly Siam Oak, with a natural rawhide head, and chrome plated hardware it is also fully tunable. Its irresistible size, measuring in at 8-1/4" tall and 5-1/2" wide, makes it an ideal instrument for "drumming on the go!" Bring it anywhere you would like to add a bit of music therapy. Finished with a natural stain this charming miniature will instantly reach out to players of all ages. Sold with a tuning wrench.
