Steve (and Kevin) - I guess it did look like I was dissing Sergio Mendes and
the Brasil 66 but actually I do have quite a few records by him dating back
to the 60's! The first album, "The Look of Love", "Fool On the Hill", and a
couple of Brasil 77 ones too (this one had a version of Jobim's "Waters of
March"). I did like his ensembles and do appreciate his opening to the world
to Brasilian music (for example, I first learned all the classic Jobim tunes
via Brasil 66 renditions). A lot of musicians were discovered by Sergio -
Lani Hall for example, was one his vocalists in the original Brasil 66. Dave
Grusin got his start as an arranger and orchestrator on some of his albums,
even guitarists like Lee Ritenour and Michael Sembello did their stints in
Sergio's band.
But I was just surprised that this was listed as part of a "seminal jazz
album" list by Kevin because I always considered Sergio Mendes' records as
Brazilian pop and never jazz. Stan Getz during his bossa nova phase I might
consider, but Sergio?
I think he was pushing it a bit though when he had ensembles like Brasil 88
and Brasil 99... the latter I'm pretty sure of 'cause he did a gig in Manila
last February under that name. IMHO, he should consider reverting to the
classic name "Brasil 66" and leave it at that.
(are we getting way off topic for the AJ list? hmmm... looks like it!)
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jim ayson [ jra@europa.com ] ... quezon city, metro manila, philippines
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