Sergio Mendes important album - By sharing its culture, Brazil has enriched countless lives around the world. Coming from a nation of great musical traditions, Sergio Mendes has never been one of his country s best exports. Always fast to embrace the commercial sound du jour, Mendes discography hasn t aged well. Primal Roots is the exception to this rule. As the title suggests, this isn t another cornball excursion into Brazilian pop. Here, there s no pandering to Tropicália, disco or whatever was en vogue in 1972 -yes despite being played by the Brasil 77, the album was actually recorded in 1972 under the alternate title Raízes. This is an album of traditional Brazilian music. The compositions feature traditional percussion instruments such as the gogó, cuica, pandeiro and atabaques. Much of the compositions emphasize the African origins of Brazilian music. While Primal Roots doesn t sell out to commercial pressures, it is far from a field recording of traditional music. While some songs feature minimalist chanting and drumming, others feature those silky smooth female vocalists, flutes and some psychedelic keyboard work. Sergio Mendes may never be remembered in the same light as Astrud Gilberto, Airto Moreira and Gilberto Gil but Primal Roots will always be remembered as his important album.
A Real Gem - I fished this LP out of a bargain bin years ago. What a gem! Real indigenous Brasilian music with a jazz edge. I look forward to hearing the remastered version. Expensive, but worth it, I d say.