Oi amados,
I hope 2008 brings you all an amazing year and thank you for your beautiful words, patience and love.
I have taken some time off between shows to continue work on new songs - there is a lot for me to express in the new material!
My love and experiences will rain on all of you in a special way with my new songs. We are already connected together in our spirit and love for music, so you will feel my energy this year more than ever.
2008 will bring us all moments together in our own way to share in songs. We are always one...
Lots of love, faith and peace,
Ive
x
Ive Mendes, a silky smooth pop jazz diva, was discovered by Robin Millar, the legendary producer of Sade and Everything But The Girl.
Dubbed 'The Brazilian Sade', Ive Mendes has already made quite a mark for herself and on every person she meets. She first gained the title after the release of her debut album in SE Asia, where she created quite a sensation. Her album became a Top 10 bestseller there.
With her sultry Latin looks, infectious personality and an incredible talent for writing, singing and performing, it's easy to see why Ive is already a star in S.E.Asia, Japan, South and Central America, in the Spanish territories including Mexico and in the U.S.A and Canada. She is already emulating that success in Europe, Spain, UK, Poland, France, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Russia and more. In fact, her diverse bloodline originates from France, Spain, Portugal and the Native Indians of Brazil which all combine to enhance and explain her international appeal.
Ive is an olive-skinned, natural beauty and the sweetest songstress! Her softly haunting, husky notes fill portentous evenings with promises of romantic love. Accompanied by gentle Brazilian beats, seductive guitar strings and sultry percussive rhythms, Ive's songs are mostly composed by herself in a mixture of English and Portuguese, evoking intimate, passionate as well as spiritual atmospheres and scenarios. From her free-spirited celebration of ‘Natural High’ through her unique Bossa infused interpretation of ‘If You Leave Me Now’ (in both English and French), to the contemplative and moving ‘Another Way’, Ive’s repertoire takes her audience on a rich journey of style and atmosphere.
Her incredible debut album (released by Mr. Bongo, and licensed round the world) features an amazing collection of her own songs that combine a mixture of soul, jazz, pop, bossa and chill out. Having learnt English through her song writing, Ive is produced by the legendary Robin Millar (Sade, Everything But The Girl) who was bowled over by her voice after she sang into his answer machine! Her songs cover all aspects of her life and reflect her Brazilian roots, spiritual faith and Latin passion. The album has been receiving some fantastic press and tracks from the album are featured on countless Chill Out and Lounge compilations around the world.
While her music is inspired by her mother country, her music isn't a soundtrack only to be heard in specialist Brazilian clubs or Acid Jazz nights. Neither is it the sound of Carnival. It's more than Nu-Brazil, with it’s lilting influence of traditional music like Tom Jobim, with the more vocal inspiration of international artists, notably Sade, Bjork and Marvin Gaye. It's music to be appreciated in every bedroom, at every party, in every bar and every chill out room.
As Ive says herself: "I am Brazilian and I represent that, but we are not just about Bossa Nova and Samba. It's not just about 'The Girl from Ipanema’; we have our own music and our own style. But most importantly to me as an artist, I am just myself, which is what you will hear in my music and see from my performances. I’m a woman of different aspects – femininity, spirituality, strength, vulnerability, passion and humor. Basically, I am dreamer and communicator and I sing because my intention is to contribute to a better world, but in my own way."
Ive's songs are essentially a celebration of Love, Nature, Spiritual Faith, Romance and Healing, that encompass her relationship with God, Nature, and her experience of Love and Life.
Ive adds: ‘’One of my big inspirations is the Song of Songs of King Soloman, from the Bible. What I love about it is its passionate expression of blessed love and intimacy’’.
Her impact has been incredible, from the enchanting melodies and rhythms and beautiful harmonic structures on the album, she captures the imagination of everyone she meets and who sees her perform.
Ive is also an advocate of children’s charities including www.compassionuk.org
And is a committed supporter of environmental action efforts such as www.climatecrisis.net & www.watoto.com
Ive Mendes: Lead Vocals
Tony Remy: Guitar (Annie Lennox, Incognito)
Nick Cohen: Electric Bass (Massive Attack)
Tristan Banks: Drums (The Brand New Heavies)
Ollie Savill: Percussion (Basement Jaxx, Zero 7)
Gary Hughes: Keyboards
Robin Millar: Producer (Sade, Everything But The Girl)
