Sergio Mendes,
one of the most internationally successful Brazilian musicians of all time,
will be releasing a new album titled Timeless, an album produced by
and featuring will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas.
Almost 40 years
ago, Mendes released the hits "Brasil 66’" and "Mas Que
Nada." He also hit big in 1968 with the Burt Bacharach/Hal David song "The
Look of Love."
According to Mendes, Timeless will reflect and blend two different
cultures with a modern twist.
"Will came to my house with a lot of old vinyls that I
recorded many years ago," Mendes said of his collaboration with will.I.am.
"I was so surprised. It was like, ‘Wow!’ He knew every song.
He knows every Brazilian riff. I could just feel his passion for the music.
We talked and I said, ‘You know what? You love Brazilian music. Why don’t
we bring the Brazilian music and melodies to the Hip-Hop urban world and put
them together? I think we can make something really different.’”
The album features such stars as Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder,
Erykah Badu, india.arie, Black Thought of The Roots, John Legend, Chali 2na
of Jurassic 5, Jill Scott, and Q-Tip, among others.
Mendes has already recorded with will.i.am and the Black Eyed
Peas on their last two albums.
"Hip-Hop is urban to America, but samba and bossanova are
urban to Brazil," will.I.am stated. "It’s two urban cultures clashing
and fusing together beautifully, because they share a lot of the same qualities."
The album’s first radio track is titled “Yes, Yes
Y’all” and features Black Thought of The Roots and Chali 2na of
Jurassic 5.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with just about
everyone I’ve desired to work with and now the legendary Sergio Mendes,"
Black Thought said. "It was an honor to be able to collaborate with such
a cool, unorthodox, timeless and well-rounded musician. He’s quite an
inspiration.”
Mendes and will.i.am will perform on an episode of NBC’s “The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on Thursday, Feb. 2.
Timeless
hits stores Feb. 14 on Concord Records and Starbucks Hear Music.
