OK, so we're on a bit of an A+M trip here...but there you go! Sergio Mendes has been a sheer powerhouse in the music world for the past five decades and his contribution to the Brazilian, Jazz, soul and pop scene is incalculable. I highly respect the man and if anyone can actually name a record "Bim Bom" outside of the Eurovision song contest, get away with it AND make it an essential track definitely gets my respect! Sergio, as we have seen, has embraced many styles, his worst for me being Disco in the late 70s BUT everyone, even Cher, had a stab at that. Sergio turned his sights to a warmer, smoother soulful place in the 1980s and a plethora of albums were issued crammed with uptempo soul dancers, ballads and easily accessible Brazilian numbers. 1983's eponymous album was no exception.This album gave birth to a monster hit for Sergio, a hit ballad that is more at home in Los Angeles that the beaches of Ipanema. Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil were already well respected writers, having worked with Patti Austin and James Ingram, and their talents bore fruit in the superb ballad "Never Gonna Let You Go" which featured the vocal talents of Joe Pizzulo and Leza Miller. I know some may find this a bit MOR, and perhaps it is, but what a cracking ballad it is and I consider it an essential part of Sergio's music library. The Latin, uptempo flavour of "My Summer Love" featuring Michael Sembello and Grachinha Leporace on vocals. This song is different and when one digs into the writing credits we discover that the song comes partly from the pen of...Serge Gainsbourg. No sign of Jane Birkett though! "Love Is Waiting" is an excellent 80s midtempo number, featuring vocalist Leza Miller again. This Lady has a lovely voice and Sergio and co know how to bring out her best facets - check out "Life In The Movies" to hear what I mean. The short but sweet "Dream Hunter" adds some real Latin flavour and reminds us of the Master's Rio roots - should we ever need reminding. Reissued on CD in Japan, this is a real hidden gem.
Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe
The Vibe Scribe
