“As on 2006’s “Timeless,” the Brazilian bossa nova master teams with Will.i.am on a collection of summery updates of the classics, as well as some new tracks. Updating such well-known songs as Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Waters of March” (talk-sung here by Ledisi) is a great proposition for exposing the music to new audiences. Though it’s hard to imagine the updates will endure as long as the originals, guest artists including Natalie Cole gamely tackle the task. Standouts include Juanes’ bright, infectious chorus on “Y Vamos Ya”; tight bossa jam “Odo-Ya” featuring Carlinhos Brown; and Brasil ‘66 alum Lani Hall’s wistful vocal accompanied by Herb Alpert’s trumpet on “Dreamer.” Eminently synchable, it’s the kind of music you could imagine playing at a store or in a commercial.—Ayala Ben-Yehuda
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Great review! I’ve been listening to the Japanese pressing of this CD since February and have loved it since the first play. But, I’ve been a fan of Sergio’s since saw him for the first time in 1966, when Brasil ‘66 opened the show for Herb Alpert. Sergio has had ups & downs over his career, but he always does well when he returns to his Brazilian roots.