A couple of years ago, I was put on to Sergio Mendes by a friend of mine who recommended his 2006 album, Timeless, a collaboration between the Brazilian pianist and notable singers/MCs such as india.arie, John Legend, Pharoahe Monch and Erykah Badu.
A vastly underrated musician in the States, Mendes is lauded in his native Brazil as being the pioneer of Bossa Nova music, a combination of samba rhythms and jazz. His former band, Brazil 66' were globetrotting trailblazers who preached the gospel of bossa nova to worldwide audiences.
Encanto features more collaborations with the Black Eyed Peas (most notably Will .i. Am) as well as guest appearances from Ledisi ("Waters of March"), Natalie Cole ("Somewhere In the Hills") and numerous Brazilian artists. Standout tracks include "Funky Bahia" featuring the voice of Seidah Garrett. The album typifies the best characteristics of Mendes' music, up tempo rhythms with an emphasis on Mendes' piano playing and the cross continental voices of soul singers.
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