When I first saw LAXX’s post on FB about this tune, I for some reason didn’t read the title of it. I just pressed play. When the sample first came in I was instantly hooked. LAXX has taken a Samba/Jazz classic and has made it truly club ready. There’s such great energy in the original tune, and the Oxford based DJ/Producer has accurately improved upon it. This tune is the first of his holiday giveaways so if you dig this one prepare yourself for more. He just posted it up a few hours ago, so get it while its hot!

Side note, the photo above is from LAXX and Farkas’ back to back set on Get Darker TV. Check it out here if you have an hour to spare, its a great set.

Biggin’ up LAXX as always, for more from him check his Facebook and Soundcloud.

Christine & Elliot Spero – Playing a mix of Jazz, Latin & Pop Our unique versions of Jobim to Joni / Brazil 66 to Burt Bacharach, Carole King to Carlos, Beatles, Originals & more. Jazz,Latin,Brazilian improvisational NU jazz Music Group

Cafe open from 5–10pm with music in two live shows from 6–7:30 or 8–9:30 5$ Cover. Call 518 326 2064 for reservations

~ Tapas Specials for Friday, November 9 ~

Soups: cup/bowl
Roasted Corn Chowder w/ Yucca & Avocado
Black Bean w/ Chorizo & Bacon
Black Bean w/ Corn

Yucca Chicken Croquettes
w/ Red Pepper Sauce

Mixed Grill Plate
Lamb Chop, Duck Breast, & Filet Mignon
served w/ Garlic Mashed Yucca & Braised Greens

Sauteed Shrimp
w/ Coriander-Cream Sauce over Saffron Rice

Pan Seared Chicken Breast
w/ Red Pepper Sauce & Yucca Fries

Cilantro-Lime Crispy Tofu
Served over Rice & Veggies

~ Desserts ~

Mango-Lime Cheesecake
Flan

~ Full Dinner Menu Here ~

What makes an album classic? Timeless songwriting is a no brainer but what about the execution of the piece? Beethoven for example, even if they are conducting the same piece the sound differs conductor to conductor and by orchestra to orchestra. So even if it is the same piece by Beethoven, classical fans of Beethoven have their personal favorite version (the conductor). All the songs on “Sérgio Mendes & Brazil ’66″ are covers of ‘old hits’ from Antonio Carlos Jobim to John Lennon. But what makes the album appeal to the listeners of 2012? What do they (including yours truly) find while listening to this album?

It is an understatement if anybody says this is a very good cover album, to me all the songs transformed into a different monster (but heck of a hot monster) from their predecessors by Sergio Mendes. The process that made the transformation happen are: the afro cuban feel and how they are executed, the tone and the mastery of recording, the lyrics but more importantly how they are presented and backed up by the band. All the songs in the album are priceless and they all have this factors, but I’ll just pick a few examples that represents the Sergio Mendes, the master plastic surgeon of this album.

“Tim Dom Dom” is a good example of afro cuban feel or latin 16th notes or the feel of in between straight and swing or the ‘strong e’. It is hard to explain this if you are new to the Afro Cuban music. Since most of the time the drummer is playing 16th notes on the hi hat or with a shaker so it sounds quick and hasty but it also has a mid tempo 2 feel to it. It doesn’t feel as choppy as the straight feel but also it doesn’t feel as loose/free as the swing feel. A very mysterious feel that moves feet.

The tone, “Slow Hot Wind”, nothing more to say. Cannot believe this was recorded in 1966. “One Note Samba-Spanish Flea” is also a good example how great the recording engineers were at the time. If you listen carefully with headphones this happens: Drums on the left; cross stick fills entire room . Piano on the right with bass player. Singers on the middle. Overall very ‘real’ sounding recording, as if I was actually in the room with the band. Also notice the dynamic differences between all the instruments and the singers. Everything cuts through nicely and is crystal clear because they know they are not playing solo.

“Going Out of My Head” best. lyric. ever. One of the reasons why is simply I can relate to it too well. And what great music is backing up the lovely lyrics! A wave of sound that feels… well like an actual wave. Crashing in and out. The song builds up till the first verse, surfing on the verse then slightly builds up to the chorus and in the middle of it a crushing wave of sound crated by the piano crashes onto the ears and stop… time to tell the audience the main point of the song. “I must think of a way into your heart. Oh there is no reason why, my being shy, should keep us apart.” Intentional or not, to me the little solo after the ‘main point’ is representing the thought process to find a way into the ‘circulatory organ’. It is hopeful then hopeless, cheerful then sad. The rest of the song is then the repeat of this process and beautifully ends with a dry stop. The brazil 66′ are such emotional bastards.

So if you feel either convinced or teased, 

why not make some rum-based drinks and go have a listen on a nice weather.

Brazil! The very word excites the imagination with a delicious and unique blend of rhythms and sensations.

Celebrating the consecutive success of her performances,  Brazilian singer Juliana Areias “  –   is back to the Ellington presenting the “best chapters” of her previous shows – Ginga Brazil / Bossa Nova Baby / La vie en Rose in Ipanema / Born to Samba – as well as new vogue songs.

From fresh arrangements of  Jobim’s classics such as The Girl from Ipanema and Sergio Mendes’ popular samba recording Mas que nada to contemporary  Brazilian icons –  Djavan, Joao Bosco, Lenine, Ceu, Maria Gadu, Maria Rita, Rita Lee, Zelia Duncan,  Adriana Calcanhoto,  Arlindo Cruz, Moacyr Luz  and Aldyr Blanc – The Sounds of Brazil show also features some of Juliana’s original songs.

On board with Juliana Areias on this sensuous musical journey, is a stellar line up of new talents: just arrived Brazilian multi instrumentalist Leandro Cezarino (guitar, cavaquinho and percussion); pianist Jeremy Poole-Johnson, bassist Joe Southwell and drummer Bronton Ainsworth; plus surprise special guests – Marcio Mendes, Carlos Santos and Walber Almeida – and surprise reasons to celebrate. Sound Engineering: Liam Crosby.

Brazilian chanteuse Juliana Areias has lived for many years in Europe(Switzerland) and New Zealand prior to moving to Australia. Always working in the music circuit, her career includes a performance at the revered Montreau Jazz Festival. Her authentic Brazilian voice, sense of groove, engaging charisma and a very personal and passionate stage presence are the trademarks of her work.

More information at The Ellington Jazz Club Website 

Concert proudly sponsored by:

-  Oi Exchange- the best way to send money to Brazil. Perth representant: 0405279160

- Totem  - Brazilian International Fashion Label

- Daniela Collection - hand crafted Brazilian jewellery www.danielacollection.com.au

- Make up by Sand Dance

- Hair designing – Total Brazil Beauty 

- Photos by Jayga McMullen and Santos Group

- Sound engineer: Liam Crosby

- Video by Luis Tasso Santos

LIKE Juliana Areias – Brazilian singer – facebook page: 

Tom Jones is primarily known for his wildly successful Las Vegas show, but the ”This Is Tom Jones” TV show is how I remember him best. This clip is from 1969.

Side note: I think only a guy would enjoy having sexy underpants thrown at him (a la Tom Jones stage show). Fellas, I don’t care how skimpy and brightly colored yer Speedo is, you keep that under your pants pal!

In case all my posts of  shrieking terror were too subtle for you to guess, I threw a birthday party for the Beautiful Girl this past weekend! A couple of posts ago I may have suggested it was a near death experience but, after a couple good night’s sleep, I must confess no actual murder was attempted and the kids all had a blast. Here’s a quick rundown:

The Good - LOTS of kids came. They entertained each other beautifully so the party got rave reviews from the under 10 set. Also, I rediscovered my lost balloon animal making talent which scored me major “cool Mom” points with the kids.

The Bad - LOTS of loud, energetic and LOUD  kids came. As a friend of mine pointed out, this is February. Parents have been couped up with their kids all winter and I handed them a card that said “give them to me for 2 hours.” It’s no wonder so many parents jumped at the chance. Half  her class plus all the neighborhood kids plus some siblings came. I have a pretty popular kid so most of the kids who showed up are actually friends of hers. I did have one kid come up to me at the end and ask “Now whose party is this?” And when I told him he asked, “And which one is she?” I am not one of nature’s hostesses so I was EXHAUSTED when it was over!

The adorable - I got to meet the Beautiful Girl’s “boyfriend.” I watched her show love for him by running away from him and demanding that he try to catch her. I watched him show his love for her by smashing his entire face into his piece of birthday cake for her amusement. She hasn’t stopped talking about it since. Gentlemen take note. Flowers and chocolates are for suckers!

Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to play Mas Que Nada and do a bit of a “Thank God It’s Over” Samba around my living room to celebrate. I’m free until next year!

After four decades of being in the music industry, 67 year old Sergio Mendes is still going strong with award-winning collaborations while capturing both the older and younger audiences. It must be difficult for a musician to stay relevant in changing times for today’s young generation. It takes a true master to mix new into classics. What is his secret to success? ArtZine finds out as Sergio Mendes drops by Singapore for a one-night only concert at the Esplanade as part of the Singapore Sun Festival.

Born in Brazil, he is a Grammy Award-winning musician who has released over 35 albums throughout his career so far. Expect bossa nova beats crossed with latin jazz and funk. Behind every successful man is a successful woman and indeed his wife, Gracinha Leporace has been very supportive and even sings backup for some of his songs! “She has a great sound. That’s why she’s singing so many songs on this album. She’s a super professional and just a great singer.”

Who is Sergio Mendes?

I think that great songs are the key of music. You want to hear those melodies that you don’t forget.” – Sergio Mendes

Some may reply, “He’s from Brazil 66!” while others may yell “Mas Que Nada!”. Both answers are important milestones in his life. From the days when he was a band member of Brazil 66, “Mas Que Nada” (More than Nothing in Portuguese) was the song that catapulted the group to fame. Almost 40 years later, the brilliant Sergio Mendes revived that popular song by collaborating with The Black Eyed Peas to create a mixture of old and new.

Sergio Mendes + Will.i.Am = Latin Jazz with Hip Hop and Rap

Will invited me to play a song on his album Elefant, which I did. I really enjoyed that so I told him “Why don’t we make an album together? Bring back the great Brazilian melodies and marry that to the hip-hop world and re-introduce those wonderful melodies to the new kids. It’s the best way to present old tracks to a whole new generation, that probably wouldn’t be able to listen to that kind of music. I like the adventure of trying to re-introduce in a different way but keeping the melody, which is essential.” – Sergio Mendes

Keeping up to date with current music is how he keeps his music young and fresh. He co-produced an album with Will.i.Am from the Black Eyed Peas, which resulted in hits that will surely be played at latin jazz dance competitions for many years. His music continues to bridge the generational gap and remain timeless.

Here’s the result of that clever collaboration.

In 2004, Mendes told The Star. “I had a wonderful time the last time I played in KL and would love to come over again. I could come over after Singapore, in fact.”

Well, we’re glad he’s finally dropping by to perform in Singapore on Oct 22!

Sergio Mendes – Infectious Rhythms, Irresistible Melodies
Date: October 22 , 2008, Wednesday
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall
Tickets: $48, $68, $88, $128*, $148*
Concessions are available for students, NSF and senior citizens

Sergio Mendes – Infectious Rhythms, Irresistible Melodies is part of the Singapore Sun Festival.
Read about Jazz Musician Peter Cincotti here.