The third album from bossanova legend Sergio Mendes was released in 1967.
It featured Mendes original compositions but also bossanova arrangements of some of the biggest songs at the time - notably the Beatles “With a Little Help From My Friends” and Bacharach and David “The Look of Love”.
Its still one of my favorite albums - with soaring female harmonies and strings - as well as the superb recording by Herb Alpert at Sunset Sound,Annex Studios and Western Recorders in LA.
This was a wonderful time for Brazilian culture and really helped share the beauty of bossanova to American and European audiences.
Brazil was also in the sporting spotlight at this time- with football (soccer) legend Pele and the Brazil team dominating world football.
Around this time the great Jose Feliciano also fused his soulful Puerto Rican roots with contemporary songs to produce hits with the Doors “Light My Fire”.
The follow up album in 1968 by Sergio Mendes was “Fool On The Hill” - continuing the reworking of the Beatles tunes.
However “Look Around’ is a superb album -with its title track composed by Mendes and Marilyn and Alan Bergman.
The quality of the title track stands up to any of the inspired reworking of Beatles or Bacharach tunes.
This was a wonderful time for music and a glorious album.
To quote the original sleeve notes:
“Suddenly it flies….smooth as glass….the incredible cool green of the rain forests…the joy of Carnival.The sight and sound of Brazil.”
Indeed it is.
Go check it out - more info here: