14 February 2006: the new Sergio Mendes collaboration with will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas was released today. Timeless features classic Brasil '66 songs sampled, along with a few new recordings. Visit our Sergio Mendes Forum to read our forum members' discussions of this fantastic new album, along with reviews from many major publications. Click here to order Timeless from Amazon.

21 August 2002:    A&M Japan released the entire A&M catalog of Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66/'77 on remastered CDs! These titles include Herb Alpert Presents, Equinox, Look Around, Fool On The Hill, Crystal Illusions, Ye-Me-Le, Stillness, Pais Tropical, Primal Roots and Live at Expo '70. Check out our New Releases posting in the forum, and follow the link in that message to our full forum discussion. (Thanks to forum regular Paula for pointing out the releases, and "poo" from Japan for giving us the full release schedule.) Also watch the forum for recommendations on where to buy these new CDs; we'll also post some links here on Brasil66.com as they become available.

A Brief Biography of Brasil '66

Arriving on A&M Records' doorstep in 1966, Sergio Mendes and his group were signed to a record deal by Herb Alpert, whose enthusiastic response enabled their immediate success. Blending Brazilian, jazz and American popular styles, Brasil '66 became known for their unique, innovative sound. While Mendes was the lively pianist, arranger, producer and musical director, it was Chicago-bred vocalist Lani Hall who gave the group the finesse that ensured their success on the pop music charts. Lani is equally at home singing in English, Spanish and Portugese, although you'd never know it from the way she tackles all of her songs with the ease of a native.

This particular discography covers only the seminal Brasil '66 group and two Brasil '77 albums on A&M. His biggest post-Brasil '66 hit was "Never Gonna Let You Go", recorded in the 1980's. At a later time, this discography will grow to cover more of Sergio's recordings for other record labels, both before and after his tenure with A&M. At the end of the illustrated discography of Brasil '66, you'll find a complete album discography listing, courtesy of Steve Sidoruk of the A&M Fan Network.

Notice: we are in the midst of overhauling our discography--please hang tight while we get it updated!

The original Brasil '66 lineup, as recorded on the first three A&M albums, consisted of Mendes on piano and keyboards, Lani Hall and Janis Hansen on vocals, Jose Soares on Latin percussion, Bob Matthews on bass and Joao Palma on drums. (Tijuana Brass guitarist John Pisano plays guitar starting with Equinox.) Starting with Fool On The Hill, the Brasil '66 lineup would include Mendes, Lani Hall and vocalist Karen Phillips, with a completely new rhythm section consisting of Sebastiao Neto, Dom Um Romao, Rubens Bassini and Oscar Castro Neves. Stillness would be Lani's final album with Brasil '66, leaving to record her first solo project in 1972, Sun Down Lady.

Be sure to check out the Lani Hall Discography at A&M Corner, where her solo recordings are listed.

(L-R) Sergio Mendes, Gracinha Leporace and Carol Rogers,
on the road as Brasil 2000.