MUSIC REVIEWS
Sergio Mendes - Timeless
David Allun Jones
Brazilian music icon Sergio Mendes makes a concentrated effort to gain a whole new generation of followers with Timeless, a tribute album helmed by Black Eyed Peas front man Will.I.Am, which finds the two bridging the worlds between hip hop, bossa nova and samba. The much-acclaimed musician rode the successful wave of bossa nova throughout the 1960’s and ‘70s, becoming one of the genre’s biggest name and achieving an unprecedented amount of mainstream success with the likes of the now-standard “Mas Que Nada” and his smash take on “The Look of Love”. This fifteen-track disc manages to recreate the man’s incredible knack for warm, exotic melodies and textured grooves and inject them with a new millennium spirit (alongside some amazing cameo appearances) that, for the most part, succeed in respecting Sergio’s legacy.
Without Will.I.Am conducting the affair, such an ambitious project would’ve probably floundered. The man behind annoyingly ubiquitous hip-pop smashes like “My Humps” and “Let’s Get It Started” is a true fan of Mendes and the bossa nova sound and though not every track condones such brassy hip hop makeovers, he confronts Timeless with a clear appreciation that makes the stand-out moments truly inspiring. “Mas Que Nada” starts the album off with promise. It might not be recognized by name, but odds are you’ve heard the tune before. The revised rendition that opens the album effectively combines the Black Eyed Peas’ catchy crossover appeal with the original’s memorable piano riffs and an upbeat, hand-clap heavy shuffle. Though it doesn’t hold a candle to the original, it’s a spirited remake nonetheless. The same feeling goes for the Q Tip-featured “The Frog” and “Yes Yes Y’all”, a posse record between Will, Chali 2na and Black Thought over hard-hitting percussion and a deep, rhythmic groove. Hearing the emcees flexing their skills over the colorful arrangements, especially on the tracks with Brazilian rapper Marcelo D2, offers an exciting detour from the more beat-centric hip hop of today.
Giving in to the timeless quality of the music, the marriage of the sensual rhythms with supple singers make for even more moving collaborations. Sergio’s wife Gracinha Leporace adds a cute coyness to the vibrant sunny vibe of “E Menina” and “Berimbau/ Consolacao”, a jazzy medley featuring the harmonica skills of Stevie Wonder. While original creations from John Legend (“Please Baby Don’t”) and India.Arie (“Timeless”) match perfectly with Mendes’ rich instrumentals, providing new treasures for future artists to mine. Jill Scott and Erykah Badu provide even more attraction for the uninitiated but give forgettable performances that tend to steer the album away from its finer moments.
A tribute to a music legend and grand style of music that offered a mysteriously alluring alternative during it’s prime heyday, Timeless’ enchanting mash-up of worlds works far better than you would think. Mendes’ remains the masterful musician he’s always been, but thanks to Will’s vision, the younger folk can now also be transfixed by the legend’s wealth of talent. Still, to get a better feel for Sergio’s classic work, it be best to search out his original creations which Timeless will hopefully provoke listeners to do.
