Look Around
Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66
1968
Why This Album Matters
Look Around, released in March 1968 by A&M Records, represents one of the high points in the trajectory of Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66, solidifying the sound that would make them world-famous. This album captures the group at the peak of their form, offering an irresistible and distinctive fusion of bossa nova with the American pop of the era. The songs are marked by sophisticated arrangements, led by the talents of Mendes, Dave Grusin and Dick Hazard, and by the crystal-clear voices of the female vocalists, Lani Hall and Janis Hansen. The album is a showcase of the 'dreamy bossa pop' style that Brasil '66 perfected, perfectly alternating between Brazilian classics sung in Portuguese and interpretations of pop music hits in English. The group's ability to infuse a vibrant Brazilian rhythm into popular melodies resulted in a sonic experience that captivated audiences worldwide. It is an essential work for understanding the influence and popularity of Brazilian music on the international scene of the 60s.
Context
The career of Sérgio Mendes, a classically trained pianist in Brazil, took a new turn as he delved into jazz and bossa nova, collaborating with names such as Antônio Carlos Jobim. Following the 1964 military coup in Brazil, Mendes moved to Los Angeles, where his musical trajectory gained decisive momentum. He signed with A&M Records, founded by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, after Alpert was impressed by his unique approach. With Brasil '66, and the inclusion of vocalists Lani Hall and Janis Hansen, Mendes developed a sound that became his trademark. The success of his debut album with A&M, Herb Alpert Presents Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66, propelled by the hit "Mas que Nada", caused Mendes's popularity to explode. The release of Look Around occurred at a time when Mendes and his group were already prominent figures, with the pianist performing on television programmes and at concerts, and his performance of the song "The Look of Love" at the Academy Awards ceremony in March 1968 further boosted his prominence and the album's release.
Recording
Look Around was recorded in renowned studios in California, including Sunset Sound, United Western Recorders (also known as Western Recorders) and Annex Studios, all located in Hollywood. The album's production was conducted by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, the founders of A&M Records, who were crucial to the development and success of Brasil '66's sound. Sérgio Mendes is also credited as a producer in some sources. Mendes took charge of the album's arrangements and orchestration, working alongside Dave Grusin and Dick Hazard, who contributed to expanding the group's sound with the addition of luxuriant string arrangements. This technical collaboration was fundamental to the polished and engaging sound that characterises the album, uniting jazz precision with the lightness of bossa nova and pop grandeur.
Songs
The repertoire of Look Around is a harmonious combination of international pop hits and gems of Brazilian music. The most prominent song is the group's version of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "The Look of Love", which reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and runner-up on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. Notably, the lead vocal on this track was by Janis Hansen, a rare occurrence in early Brasil '66. The album also features a vibrant reinterpretation of The Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends", which gains a faster rhythm and an unmistakably Brazilian flavour. Other tracks include Gilberto Gil's energetic "Roda", with a nimble piano solo by Mendes, and the emotive "Like a Lover" (originally "O Cantador" by Dori Caymmi and Nelson Motta), which would become a classic interpreted by various jazz vocalists. The composition "So Many Stars", co-written by Mendes, is notable for Lani Hall's vocal performance and its poetic lyrics. Marcos Valle's "Batucada (The Beat)", and the title track "Look Around", also co-written by Mendes, solidify the blend of Brazilian rhythms and pop sensibility that defines the album.
Legacy
Look Around consolidated the status of Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66 as a commercial and artistic force in international music. The resounding success of "The Look of Love", which reached the Top 4 of the Billboard Hot 100, was a milestone in the group's career and contributed to the album's chart performance. The album followed a series of successes from Brasil '66, who had already won over audiences with hits such as "Mas que Nada", paving the way for future works like "Fool on the Hill". Considered an 'essential' album and highly esteemed by many, Look Around played a significant role in introducing bossa nova and Brazilian music to a global audience. The group's unique sound, which blended bossa nova and pop, became timeless and continues to be celebrated for its sophistication and appeal. Proof of its lasting relevance is the album's re-release in a remastered Compact Disc version on 4 April 2000. It is important to note that Look Around marked the last work of Brasil '66's original line-up, with Mendes making significant changes to the band after this release.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Dave Grusin, Richard Hazard, Sérgio Mendes
Herb Alpert, Jerry Moss
John Pisano
Henry Lewy, Larry Levine
Tom Wilkes
Corporate Head
Guy Webster
Alan & Marilyn Bergman
Films
Analyses
Look Around – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Look Around (1968) - Discoteca Pública
discotecapublica.com.br
Artista: Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66 Título: Look Around Ano: 1968 Gravadora/Fabricante/Selo: Fermata/A&M Records Formato: LP/12 polegadas Nº série: 217 Lado A 01 - With a Little Help From My Friends - J. Lennon e P. McCartney 02 - Roda - Gilberto Gil e João Augusto
Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Look Around (1968 / MONO)
jazzecompanhiadiscos.com.br
Estado da Capa: EX Estado do Disco: EX Lista de faixas: A1 With A Little Help From My Friends 2:33 A2 Roda 2:22 A3 Like A Lover 3:51 A4 The Frog 2:42 A5 Tris...
Discogs
Look Around – Discogs
discogs.com