Thursday 15 March 2018

Fool On The Hill – SERGIO MENDES & BRASIL’66****

Fool On The Hill/Festa/Casa Forte/Canto Triste/Upa Neguinho/Lapinha/Scarborough Fair/When Summer Turns To Snow/Laia Ladaia(Reza)

Fool On The Hill provided the final high chart placing from Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66, whose popularity in the States would now begin to tail off. The title track reached No. 3, and Scarborough Fair No. 16, in the US. Britain remained strangely immune to their musical appeal. (US:3)

"His whole Brasil '66 discography is amazing: this is timeless, sweet, slightly exotic music that's upbeat with a hint of melancholy. This great record, leans on two very good covers, but the originals are what's special here. The perfect blend between 60s pop and bossa nova, sweet but not sappy, cheerful but not annoying, and always this sweet, glowing, after-summer vibe."

"Only vocalist Lani Hall remained of the original group. Even with all the changes, the great sound of Brasil '66 continued without so much as missing a beat. Festa is a great uptempo number which highlights the talents of all the group members. Casa Forte will have you dreaming of warm Brazilian beaches, while Lani Hall's searing vocal solo on Canto Triste will give you chills. Lapinha gave us a preview of what was to come with an excellent vocal track by Gracinha Leporace. From the first note to the last, this album will take you on a musical trip to warm, sunny places."

"The Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 formula on Fool On The Hill was quite simple. Take pop hits like the title track by The Beatles and Scarborough Fair by Simon & Garfunkel, add a bossa nova rhythm, some lavish string accompaniment and the vocals of Lani Hall and Karen Philipp, and you have some easy listening hits."

"I couldn't believe how exciting, timeless and classy this music is. The singing and the instrumentation blend perfectly. Some of the rhythms get complex, yet they come off as smooth as silk in the hands of these great musicians. If you still don't know this music, this would be a great starting place. It is definitely one of their best."

"The two best are Casa Forte and Upa Neguinho, which are as fine as any of the group's original songs as they ever recorded. The best vocals are actually by Gracinha Leporace. You have to appreciate this type of bait, where unsuspecting music lovers pick up an album for the hits and are introduced to the seductive sounds of Brazilian jazz. In the sixties this was the sound of international music."

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