Found Sound # 1

Stillness/Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66

My favorite record right now is one I found on the side of a nearby street. It was in a paper bag, along with a bunch of other random, cheap, well-worn slabs of vintage vinyl in various states of decay: Pat Boone (pass), Englebert Humperdink (delectably cheesy), Flamenco guitar virtuoso Ricardo Montoya (surprisingly heavy, like Diamanda Galas), and one of those classical records with a crazy cartoon illustrated cover that belies the music within.

This record by Sergio Mendes was the belle of the ball. It’s a mellow mix of psychelic folk, Brazilian beats and ballads. The groove of “For What It’s Worth” (also known as “There’s Something Happening Here” by Stephen Stills) I immediately recognized as a sample—by Jack Dangers, no less!

The record also immediately reminded me of—and rekindled my love for—the criminally undersung Chungking. The similarities are mainly in the first three songs sung by Lani Hall, which recall Jessie Banks.

It’s a concept record, too, spanning the day’s first sunlight to starlight. A great record to start, and finish, the day.