Keep on smiling with Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18's new 10 track album 'Haf' because, when it comes to poppy "samba, salsa, Andean balladry, Latin soul, tropical funk and sun-soaked grooves, sung in Welsh, English, and Spanish" no body does it better!
Yes, that's right, 2026 might have its most uplifting album already with 'Haf' as this magical combination Hall & Oates meets Brazilian folk and Latin jazz to the track with the extremes of 'Gwenyn y Gwanwyn' to the "Salsoul" 'Como Te Amo' to 'Shades Of Red' sung in English by Anglo-Brazilian Nina Miranda (previously 50% of Zeep with past releases on Compost, Far Out Recordigns, etc).
This is the third album by Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 in little over a year as is earmarked as a "break through" which is not to say, third time lucky. This is perfectly crafteed even though Carwyn was also envolved with Edwyn Collins and the North Mississippi Allstars at the time!
Even track is like a little 'Bubblewarp' of odd-pop sunshine with 'Whistling Sands' (about a beach in North Wales) and the instant 'Keep On Smiling' as standouts.
And if you're wondering about the track 'Haf' and album title, it's dedicated to Carwyn's late music teacher Haf Morris who, he says, “her focus, guidance and patience shaped me like no other. I hope she’s enjoyed my musical journey, from wherever she’s watching. Diolch, Haf”.
The album is on the Cardiff based label and is on black vinyl or double CD (as it includes the immediate. previous album 'Fontana Rosa').
P.S. Today marks 43 years of the release of the single 'Rip It Up' by Orange Juice (fronted by Edwyn Collins).
BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 - Haf | Bubblewrap Collective
Artist: Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18
Title: Haf
Release date: 6th February, 2026
Label: Bubblewrap Collective
Catalog Number: BWR084
Format: Vinyl LP / 2 x CD (inc. previous album 'Fontana Rosa') / Digital / Bandcamp
0 comments:
Post a Comment