For music lovers out there, if you’re looking at something different from what you listen day in and out on the radio, check out this album from Sergio Mendes titled Encanto. Encanto is the second album pairing head Black Eyed Pea will.i.am with Mendes, the Brazilian bandleader who became a global star in the 1960s, thanks to his airy take on bossa nova. While will.i.am’s arrangements achieve a colorful cheer on tracks like “Agua de Beber” and the skittering, Fergie-starring “The Look of Love,” the album’s unrepentant glee is unnerving. Even Mendes’ poppiest originals trafficked in texture and mood, elements lacking on the house-influenced “Waters of March” and the poolside pop of “Funky Bahia,” which approaches the pure delirium of being in the sun for too long.

I’ve been listening to this album throughout my trip out of KL. Just imagine, 5 hours, looping the same album over and over again. It’s just that nice and the tunes are very catchy and addictive! Too bad he didn’t have any tunes that’s salsa-ish or I’d have played it on my sets when I get the chance. It’s not often that we’d get this type of albums in town as Latin Jazz or rather music isn’t a big thing outside of the Latin Ballroom/Salsa dancing circle. If you are looking for a new sound to listen to, have a listen to him. It’s worth the money. I got my CD from oversea but you could try hunting it down at the local record stores.

Also another thing, as soon as I arrived into town from KL, the first thing I did was to gather some stocks that’ll keep me happy (aside from other stuffs). Here’s what they look like.

Sigh, I really seriously need to go on a diet once I get back to KL on Tuesday.

In the meantime, check out this EPK for Sergio Mendes’ Encanto

Also, for those of you who’d have listen to Sergio Mendes’ Magalenha and ever wondered how the music video looked like. You can check it out here. This is one of the song that gets everyone at the Salsa clubs in KL onto their feet for a spot of samba!