Sergio Mendes In the Key of Joy

Sergio Mendes
In the Key of Joy
Concord Records

"In the Key of Joy" is the title of the new Sergio Mendes album, the title of a documentary about his amazing career that spans six decades, and a description of the spirit of joy that is a thread weaved through his musical legacy. He celebrates his lengthy career in this release. Included here is an all-star cast of special guests including Common, Cali y El Dandee, João Donato, Buddy, Sugar Joans, Joe Pizzulo, Gracinha Leporace, Hermeto Pascoal, Rogê, Guinga, and Sheléa. In addition to the twelve songs on this new CD, the Deluxe edition has a second CD containing the documentary's soundtrack.

This recording was recorded both in Brazil and his adopted home of California. The music contained is a true celebration, mixing waves of Brazilian rhythms with horns and voices in such a seamless fashion. This is evident on the opening "Sabor Do Rio," a lively piece of Brazilian pop with a rap from Common embracing the music and his man Sergio. Then there are the irresistible rhythms of "Bora Lá" featuring the vocals of samba star Rogê and Sergio's wife, Gracinha Leporace.

There is so much more to relish in this buoyant mix of Brazilian music, pop, and soul. The Voice alum Sugar Joans graces the exuberant "Samba In Heaven" as she sings in English about the fever that Samba gives her. Her father, Joe Pizzuto, the ages the vocal on the romantic pop of 'Love Came Between Us." Steve Tavaglione is listed on the ewi sax, and likely responsible for the harmonica sounding instrument in the mix.

Bossa pianist João Donato co-wrote and performed on the effervescent "Muganga," with exhilarating, propulsive horns supporting Gracinha Leporace's lead vocal and the solo by guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. The title track, featuring rapper Buddy, ties together a celebration of good times and Sergio, while Mika Mutti's breezy "Romance in Casablanca" allows Mendes to display his breezy, jazz piano playing. Singer-songwriter Shelea's conveys a touch of heartache on the ballad "Time Goes By." Guinga contributed (and plays acoustic guitar on) the enchanting "Tangara' that closes the new recording.

If this sterling CD was not enough, the bonus cd of the Deluxe Edition with the documentary's soundtrack takes us from "Mas Que Nada' to 'Fanfarra – Cabua-Le-Le." There is a new version of Jobim's "Agua De Beber" with rapper will.i.am, as well as familiar Brazil 66 hits as "The Look of Love," "Going Out of My Head," and "Constant Rain," along with the hot Brazilian instrumental "Primitivo," and Mendes' hit "Never Gonna Let You Go," with the memorable vocals of Joe Pizzuto and Leza Miller. Like the new recordings, this encompasses the broad scope of the joyous music Sergio Mendes has brought listeners since the 1960s.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the March-April 2020 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 389). Here is a 2013 performance of "Never Gonna Let You Go."