GearCrave Music Throwback: Sergio Mendes & Brasil ‘66

In my late teens, I pulled this gem out of my late grandmother’s record collection. After a quick dust-off and a drop of the needle, I was met with an instant classic. If you have not yet listened to classic Sergio Mendes, you’re far overdue. This is samba music at its best, brazilian lounge at its peak, one of the high notes of the genre that followed in the footsteps of the Getz/Gilberto revolution. Ranging from authentically brilliant to playful and campy, the original Sergio Mendes and Brasil ‘66 album is a must-own for every record collection and iPod playlist. Continue reading after the break for more on this historic album, its stand-out tracks and their video performances.

Buy: $7.99 (or $.89/mp3)

Two tracks alone make Brasil ‘66 a keeper: “Mais Que Nada” (which translates literally from Portuguese as “more than nothing”) and “Agua De Beber” (or “water to drink”). Without overlooking Mendes’ solid rendition of “Berimbau” and the playful “The Joker”, these are the true gems of Brasil ‘66. “Mais Que Nada”, written by Jorge Ben in 1966, became Mendes’ signature performance, heralded as a classic to this day. “Agua De Beber” is a personal favorite, easily a top 5 samba song of all time on my own little short list… but why not listen for yourself?

Mais Que Nada

Agua De Beber

Listen. Enjoy. Add this to your playlist, play it at your next get together, rock it on the road. Unless you are potent in Portuguese, you’ll be singing along whether you know the words or not.