Equinox - Sergio Mendes

 

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Equinox

Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66

Remastering Engineer: Bob McNabb

Cover Art: Yves Roux

Pickwick SPC-3725 STEREO

Perviously released on A&M Records (1967)

1980

From the back cover: One of the nicest things about listening to Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 is that you're hearing a unique style – not just another rock, pop or jazz album. That style is a conglomerate of musical influences, fused over time and eventually synthesized in the begin of Sergio Mendes – singer, pianist, band leader, producer.

Sergio Mendes grew up in Rio de Janeiro and learned to play piano while very young, at first classical music, but by his late teems was considered one of Brazil's leading jazz interpreters. Then bossa nova swept his country's popular music scene, and Sergio's fancy followed it. He grasped the style stole-heartedly, but began to experiment with a few of his own ideas, too. His work was so successful that he won Brazil's Best Piano Player and Arranger Awards three years in a row.

In 1962 Brazil helped finance a trip to New York for Mendes and his group Bossa Rio, where they played at Carnegie Hall to universal praise. Zealous reception of the Mendes sound prompted considerable touring in ensuing years, as well as continued experimentation. In 1965 Sergio came to California to stay, and with him came a new group at first called Brasil '65, then Brasil '66.

Brasil '66 was the vehicle made to carry the mature Mendes sound, which began featuring songs by the likes of Bacharach/David and Lennon/McCartney. Besides the repertoire, the structure of the gourd was changed, too. Where Mendes once hired different sidemen for different performances, now he solidified his group's personnel (even replacing his two Brazilian singers with American female vocalists).

Sergio's musical evolution had been gradual, deliberate, and now over-whelmingly successful. In short order he posted a number of hits with his new sound. Equinox is a perfect example of the group's newly won popularity, for this one album contains three tracks that made the charts – "Constant Rain," "Night And Day" and "For Me." Each is a strong number on its own merits, yet each is part of a greater whole – that magic blend of bossa nova, pop and jazz that is Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66. – Howard Brinkmen

Constant Rain

Cinnamon And Clove

So Danco Samba

Gente

Bim-Bom

Night And Day

For Me

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