Mendes is married to the singer Gracinha Leporace who regularly performs vocals alongside Mendes and can be heard on his 2006 version of the song Mas Que Nada with the Black Eyed Peas.
Early career
The child of a physician in Niterói, Brazil, Mendes attended the local conservatory with hopes of becoming a classical pianist. As his interest in jazz grew, he started playing in nightclubs in the late-1950s just as bossa nova, a jazz-inflected derivative of samba, was taking off. Mendes played with Antônio Carlos Jobim (whom he regarded as a mentor) and many U.S. jazz musicians who toured Brazil.
Mendes formed the Sexteto Bossa Rio and recorded Dance Moderno in 1961. Touring Europe and the United States, Mendes recorded albums with Cannonball Adderley and Herbie Mann and played Carnegie Hall. Mendes moved to the U.S. in 1964 and cut two albums under the Brasil '65 group name with Capitol Records and Atlantic Records.
Brasil '66
When sales were tepid, he replaced his Brazilian born vocalist Wanda de Sa with the distinctive voice of Chicago native Lani Hall (who learned Mendes' Portuguese material phonetically), switched to Herb Alpert's A&M label, and released Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66, an album that went platinum based largely on the success of the single "Mas Que Nada" (a Jorge Ben cover) and the personal support of Alpert, with whom Mendes toured regularly.
The original lineup of Brasil '66 was Mendes (piano), vocalists Lani Hall and Janis Hansen, Bob Matthews (bass), Jose Soares (percussion), and Joao Palma (drums). John Pisano guested as guitarist. This lineup recorded three albums between 1966-1968 (including the best-selling Look Around LP), before there was a major personnel change for their fourth album Fool on the Hill.
Karen Philipp replaced Hansen as the second female vocalist, while veteran drummer Dom Um Romão teamed with Rubens Bassini to assume percussionist duties. Sebastiao Neto was the new bassist and Oscar Castro-Neves the guitarist. This lineup had a more orchestral and big band sound than their predecessors. Most significantly, in the early 1970s, lead singer Hall pursued a solo career and became Alpert's second wife. Some accounts claim that Mendes was upset with Alpert for years for "stealing" Hall away from his group.
Though his early singles with Brasil '66 (most notably "Mas Que Nada") met with some success, Mendes really burst into mainstream prominence when he performed the Oscar-nominated Burt Bacharach and Hal David song The Look of Love on the Academy Awards telecast in April 1968. Brasil '66's version of the song quickly shot into the top 10, peaking at #4, and eclipsing Dusty Springfield's version from the soundtrack of the movie, Casino Royale. Mendes spent the rest of 1968 enjoying consecutive top 10 and top 20 hits with his follow-up singles, "The Fool on the Hill" and "Scarborough Fair". From 1968 on, Mendes was arguably the biggest Brazilian star in the world, enjoying immense popularity worldwide and performing in venues as varied as stadium arenas and the White House, where he gave concerts for both Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon.
Middle career
Mendes' career in the U.S. stalled in the mid-1970s, but he remained very popular in South America and Japan. His two albums with Bell Records in 1973 and 1974, followed by several for Elektra from 1975 on, found Mendes continuing to mine the best in American pop music and post-bossa writers of his native Brazil, while forging new directions in soul with collaborators like Stevie Wonder, who wrote Mendes' R&B-inflected minor hit, "The Real Thing".
In 1983, he rejoined Alpert's A&M records and enjoyed huge success with a self-titled album and several follow-up albums, all of which received considerable adult contemporary airplay with charting singles. "Never Gonna Let You Go", featuring vocals by Joe Pizzulo and Leza Miller, equalled the success of his 1968 single "The Look of Love" by reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; it also spent four weeks atop the Billboard adult contemporary chart. In 1984, Mendes worked with singer Lani Hall again.
By the time Mendes released his Grammy-winning Elektra album Brasileiro in 1992, he was the undisputed master of pop-inflected Brazilian jazz. The late-1990s lounge music revival brought retrospection and respect to Mendes' oeuvre, particularly the classic Brasil '66 albums. His stature in his native Brazil is reflected by "Cantor de Mambo", a song by fellow Brazilians Os Mutantes, which they regularly dedicate to Mendes in concert.
Later career
Timeless features a wide array of neo-soul and alternative hip hop guest artists, most prominently will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas. It was released February 14, 2006 by Concord Records.
The album features the Black Eyed Peas, Erykah Badu, Black Thought, Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, India.Arie, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Q-Tip, Stevie Wonder and Pharoahe Monch.
The 2006 re-recorded version of "Mas que Nada" with the Black Eyed Peas had additional vocals by Gracinha Leporace (Mendes' wife); a version that is included on his album Timeless. In Brazil, the song is pretty well-known for being the theme song for the local television channel Globo's Estrelas.
The Black Eyed Peas' version also contains a sample of their 2004 hit "Hey Mama". The re-recorded song became popular on many European charts. On the UK Singles Chart, the song entered at #29 and rose to and peaked at #6 on its second week on the chart.
Official website of Sérgio Mendes: http://www.sergiomendesmusic.com
Cinnamon And Clove
Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A seabird sails across a cove
The water′s crystal in your hand
The air is Cinnamon and Clove
The tempo's easy as you please
From ev′ry lemon yellow morning
Through velvet ev'ning
The song of Cinnamon and Clove
The air is Cinnamon and Clove
Seductive Cinnamon and Clove
So come to my arms
I long for your kiss
The taste of the sea
Salty sweet upon your lips
There's love to be made
On nights such as this
And time is but sand
Drifting through our fingertips
The moon is like a tangerine
Adrift upon a sea of lights
A world where nothing comes between
These salty days and sultry nights
Where every slice of life and love
Has just the perfect combination
A cup of sweetness
A pinch of sadness
A touch of Cinnamon and Clove
A touch of Cinnamon and Clove
A Touch Of Cinnamon and Clove
The lyrics of Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66's song Cinnamon And Clove paint a picture of a beautiful and serene beach setting, where the moonlight is warm, the sand is silver, and the water is crystal. The air is filled with the sweet and seductive aromas of cinnamon and clove, adding to the romantic atmosphere. The tempo is easygoing, and the lyrics describe the perfect combination of sweetness and sadness, just like life and love.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the lyrics are an invitation to love and enjoy life. The singer longs for a kiss and hopes to make love on a night as beautiful as this one. The lyrics suggest that time is fleeting and that every moment should be cherished before it slips away like sand through our fingertips.
In summary, the song Cinnamon And Clove is an ode to love, life, and the beauty of nature. The lyrics suggest that we should savor every moment, appreciate the unique combination of experiences that life has to offer, and embrace the sensual pleasures of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
The moonlight warms the silver sand
The serene scene is enhanced by the glow of the moon, which warms the soft silver sand.
A seabird sails across a cove
Overhead, a seabird scours over the beautiful curve of the small coastline.
The water’s crystal in your hand
As the clear water splashes over your skin, it becomes clear and transparent, glistening beautifully.
The air is Cinnamon and Clove
The smell of cinnamon and clove seeps into the fresh air, leaving an alluring aroma around the coast.
The tempo’s easy as you please
The rhythm and pace of the song is smooth and effortless, providing a comfortable ambiance for all.
From ev’ry lemon yellow morning
Beautiful mornings are bright, yellow and refreshing.
Through velvet ev'ning
The nights are velvety and smooth, wrapped in the smell of sea salt and spice.
With breezes singing
The sweet smell and sound of the breeze carries throughout the night, adding to the sultry atmosphere.
The song of Cinnamon and Clove
A melody that invokes the flavour of cinnamon and clove lingers throughout the night.
Seductive Cinnamon and Clove
The captivating aroma of cinnamon and clove appeals to one's senses and arouses their desires.
So come to my arms
Come and rest in my arms, feel the love and joy it offers.
I long for your kiss
I yearn for your lips to touch mine, to share an enjoyable romantic moment.
The taste of the sea
The salty air mixed with sea salt enhances the emotion of the evening.
Salty sweet upon your lips
The salty and sweet embrace of love creates a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
There’s love to be made
The condition is right for love to grow and blossom.
On nights such as this
Occasions like these are rare, hence it is crucial to share the love and happiness it brings.
And time is but sand
The moment is fleeting, precious and will soon disappear.
Drifting through our fingertips
The passage of time leaves us with nothing but memories, fleeting dreams that slip away.
The moon is like a tangerine
The moon, hanging low in the sky, appears like a juicy tangerine, with its bright and smooth skin.
Adrift upon a sea of lights
The sea of lights reflects on the serene waters, transporting one's heart to a place of peacefulness.
A world where nothing comes between
Nothing interrupts the perfect moment and the connection between two loving people.
These salty days and sultry nights
The salty ocean and warm nights combine to create an allure of love and intimacy.
Where every slice of life and love
In this moment, every aspect of life and love is perfectly aligned.
Has just the perfect combination
The perfect pairings create a blissful and harmonious atmosphere of love and enjoyment.
A cup of sweetness
A moment full of joy and innocence.
A pinch of sadness
There is a hint of sorrow, as the moment will soon become a cherished memory.
A touch of Cinnamon and Clove
The magical essence of cinnamon and clove adds to the intense romantic moment.
A Touch Of Cinnamon and Clove
The presence of cinnamon and clove is a touch of enchantment that elevates this moment to a treasured memory.
Writer(s): Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Johnny Mandel
Contributed by Sophia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@magicknight13
Love this song! Magnifique et merveilleuse !
@ambracaddabrasaudioearcand4567
This Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 Music has become "THE" Soundtrack!, to my Modern Day Life in Los Angeles California, since about 2015
@joaoborrero7753
Esta canción es una obra maestra, saludos desde Colombia 🇨🇴
@tinydancer62
Maravihosa!
@pasqualemuzzupappa8596
This is the Best line up of Sergio Mendes:Lani Hall and Janis Jansen as vocalists
@annaclaudiapacheco7886
Excelente nível musical!!!! Bem no ano em que nasci
@wendykirkland
❤
@miracle96dn
これは名曲。名演奏。とても格好良い。
@navigator4709
Fresh sound ... Time to chill
@kenvelickoff4275
Check Sergio Brasil 88 lp Magic Lady