AFIM

Label: Mr Bongo
Release Date: 19th September

Something about this album cover that makes it instantly iconic, it feels like a record I've pulled out of the Brazilian/MPB/World Jazz/Funk record shelves a million times and thought 'oh of course I've got that'. It has of a record that should own and especially if you like gloriously bright sunshining Brazilian funk with those brass and strings adding that edge of the good life. Of Ze Ibarra's performance is charismatic AF, he didn't brush his teeth extra well the morning of recording for nothing!

Mr Bongo proudly presents, 'AFIM', the second solo album by one of Brazil's
most exciting new talents, Ze Ibarra
You may be familiar with the hypnotic, entrancing tones of Ibarra's vocals through his
work with the Latin Grammy award- winning, four- piece, Bala Desejo and the band
Donica. He has also toured with the musical titan, Milton Nascimento, performing
guitar and vocals, which is quite the honour and a testament to Ibarra's craft. As a
solo artist, he has performed headline solo shows in Japan, Portugal and the US, as
well as recently completing a support tour with the great, Seu Jorge.
'AFIM' is comprised of eight tracks, featuring Ze's own compositions as well as cover
versions of tracks by contemporaries and friends, Sophia Chablau, Tom Veloso, and
Dora Morelenbaum. It combines elements of MPB, jazz, pop and progressive rock in a
bold, authoritative style. The album represents the intersection between different
facets of the artist, from the stripped- down, intimate, guitar singer- songwriter, to
dense arrangements with sweeping strings sections.
Writing this album allowed Ibarra "to explore sides of myself that had not yet been
organized in an album: a certain darkness, a more cinematic musicality, a desire for
new soundscapes". The album features the single, 'Transe', a song with an instantly
comforting tone reminiscent of classic Brazilian songs of the past (think Caetano
Veloso). It is built on a rhythmic guitar that supports dynamic sound layers, opening
space for Ibarra's intense interpretation. Cinematic atmospheres that lend an air of
mystery come courtesy of string arrangements by Jaques Morelenbaum. His unique
cover version of Sophia Chablau's 'Segredo' is equally compelling, taking Sophia's
punky-indie original in a different direction and making it feel like his own.
The album is the result of the collaboration of experienced musicians and long-time
partners of Ibarra. Fellow Bala Desejo and Donica member Lucas Nunes co-produced
the album. The core band featured on the record consists of Lucas Nunes on organs,
Alberto Continentino on bass, Daniel Conceicao and Thomas Harres on drums and
percussion, Rodrigo Pacato on additional percussion, Chico Lira on Fender Rhodes
and Guilherme Lirio on guitar. The overall feel of the record is archetypically
quintessential without slipping into retro mode.
It is a stunning album from one of the finest musicians of his generation. A true star
of Brazil's blooming contemporary scene.