Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - "Crystal Illusions" (1969) - A&M Records
Hello Friends,
Crystal Illusions is not as good as Sergio Mendes' landmark LP, Look Around, but its still a good listen especially on a warm, late spring evening with the sun going down, a cocktail in hand and a pretty girl sitting next to you on the patio!
Crystal Illusions is not as good as Sergio Mendes' landmark LP, Look Around, but its still a good listen especially on a warm, late spring evening with the sun going down, a cocktail in hand and a pretty girl sitting next to you on the patio!
Bossa Nova at its swinging best!
An exotic and lush cover of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" kicks things off, but the real star of the record are the sultry vocal stylings of Ms. Lani Hall (who sings in both English & Portuguese.) When you hear her on songs like "Salt Sea" or "Empty Faces" it almost makes you want to drink more, scheme more and get into some good kinds of trouble.
Another standout is the album's closer and title track. A bit of a psychedelic soundscape clocking in at almost 8 minutes featuring lots of shuffling rhythms and Mendes's electric piano.
Of course, the album was produced by Mr. Lani Hall (aka Herb Alpert) and many of the arrangements/orchestrations were composed by legendary jazz composer, Dave Grusin.
RATING: 3.5 watching the wind blow tasting the salt seas out of 5
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