It's not often an album comes along that truly blends two distinct cultures in an innovative way. That album is Timeless (click for review) by Sergio Mendes, due out on February 14 as a co-release by Concord Records and Starbucks Hear Music. Produced by and featuring will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, Timeless is a wholly original blend of music from one of the most internationally successful Brazilian musicians of all time, Sergio Mendes, who--40 years ago--brought Brasil '66 and "Mas Que Nada" to the world.

Over the past decade, electronic music pioneers Thievery Corporation have garnered an immense global following with their ambitious sonic exploration and groundbreaking, hypnotic blend of psychotropic rock, future bossa, breaks, and dub. On January 24, 2006, ESL Music will reissue an expanded, digipak version of the album often credited with inventing an entire genre -- the classic 1997 LP debut 'Sounds From Thievery Hi-Fi,' completely repackaged and featuring two never-before-released B-sides from the original recording session.