Scott Frankfurt Records and Peter Mokran Mixes for Sony/OKeh Records
The “King of Bossa Nova” Sergio Mendes has mastered his new album, ” Magic,” at Bernie Grundman Mastering with recording engineer Scott Frankfurt, mix engineer Peter Mokran, and mastering engineer Bernie Grundman. The new album is Mendes’ first for the OKeh Records imprint of Sony Music Masterworks.
Producer, composer, keyboardist and vocalist, Sergio Mendes’ influence on the music industry has spanned five decades and continues to evolve through new collaborations and mediums. His new recording features eclectic and upbeat Brazilian rhythms with guest vocalists John Legend, Janelle Monae, and Gracinha Leporace, among others. One of the most successful Brazilian artists of all time, Mendes has recorded more than 35 albums and has won 3 Grammy(r) Awards.
In 2012, Mendes received his first Oscar nomination in the music category for “Real In Rio” from the animated, 3-D feature film Rio. In addition to being the executive music producer for the blockbuster film, he also contributed five songs to the movie. The soundtrack, “Rio: Music from the Motion Picture”, featured re-recorded versions of his hits “Mas Que Nada” and “Valsa Carioca.” Mendes was executive music producer for the animated feature sequel “Rio 2”, released in April.
“What a joy it has been to work with Sergio,” remarked recording engineer Scott Frankfurt. “This is our third album together, but the first where I was the recording engineer. Over these months during the creation of ‘Magic’, it’s been a privilege to be at Sergio’s right hand as he invents, shapes, and draws out the best from the music and all of the incredibly talented people in his orbit. His enthusiasm and energy is infectious — the work ethic is steady, smart and laced with joy. I’ve never worked beside a man who can be so precise harmonically and melodically.”
Technical and musical highlights from the sessions included recording John Legend with the studio’s vintage Neumann U47 microphone, Janelle Monae on the Blue Bottle mic using a custom B9 capsule, and drum and percussion sessions utilizing GP2 BL99 mic pre’s. Mendes’ piano solos were recorded on the studio’s Steinway with Mojave MA-300s and Millennia mic pre’s. Horn sessions used Royer mics and Vintech gear. Paul Jackson Jr. on guitar and Alphonso Johnson on bass recorded with Phoenix Audio gear.
Learn more about the studio at: http://scottfrankfurtstudio.com/
Frankfurt commented on Bernie Grundman’s mastering of the new album, “I trust his ears, the way he shapes the low end and gets the top just right. He’s a formidable combination of taste and discipline.”
“Sergio is a music legend and we are proud at OKeh that he chose the label for the next chapter in his astonishing career,” said Wulf Müller, who oversees A&R for OKeh Records.
Bogdan Roscic, President of Sony Music Masterworks, said: “2014 will be an exciting year for Brazil and Brazilian music – and Sergio Mendes’ new album is one of the highlights of the year.”
“Magic” is scheduled for release this June in Europe and Asia, followed by releases in Latin America and the USA in late August and early September.
Learn More about Bernie Grundman Mastering at:
http://berniegrundmanmastering.com/
