{"product_id":"haf","title":"Haf","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHaf\u003c\/em\u003e is the third album from Carwyn Ellis and Rio 18 in little over a year, no mean feat in\u003cbr\u003eand of itself but especially considering Carwyn’s work with other artists (including\u003cbr\u003eEdwyn Collins and the North Mississippi Allstars) this year too. The album picks up where their last (\u003cem\u003eFontana Rosa\u003c\/em\u003e) left off, with around half the album being recorded analog to tape at Gizzard Studios in London, with one last tune remaining from their sessions at the legendary (but now closed) Toerag Studios.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are echoes here of their first album, Joia! - the recordings were once again\u003cbr\u003einstigated by the great Brazilian producer and multi-instrumentalist who happened\u003cbr\u003eto be visiting London earlier in the year. He suggested doing something.... so they\u003cbr\u003edid. And there is a return to more definite Brazilian influences too - Tonnau Ar\u003cbr\u003eTonnau is an homage to ‘Onda’ by Cassiano, Keep On Smiling has a distinct samba \/\u003cbr\u003echorro feel. Gwenyn y Gwanwyn (about helping a bee out if you see it struggling) is\u003cbr\u003every much a nod to the psychedelic samba funk of Antonio Carlos e Jocafi. But other\u003cbr\u003eLatin styles still loom large: on the sultry salsa of Bella Estrella or the melancholic\u003cbr\u003eAndean ballad, Lagrimas Frias.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnglo-Brazilian singer Nina Miranda features on the Lalo Schifrin goes samba Shades\u003cbr\u003eof Red, while new addition to the Rio 18 family (at least on record), Miriam Isaac\u003cbr\u003eadds a real RnB edge to the record, along with some beautiful duets: the Salsoul\u003cbr\u003ebanger Como Te Amo and the gorgeous Whistling Sands (about a beach in North\u003cbr\u003eWales) are standouts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn reverse to how Carwyn made the first two Rio 18 albums, \u003cem\u003eHaf\u003c\/em\u003e was recorded in\u003cbr\u003eLondon and Wales and mixed over five hectic days in Rio. Three days later, it was\u003cbr\u003emastered and at the pressing plant. Time doesn’t wait for Carwyn Ellis and Rio 18!!\u003cbr\u003eFinally, the song ‘Haf’ and the album itself are dedicated to Haf Morris, Carwyn’s late\u003cbr\u003emusic teacher - he says, “her focus, guidance and patience shaped me like no other. I\u003cbr\u003ehope she’s enjoyed my musical journey, from wherever she’s watching. Diolch, Haf”.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bubblewrap Collective","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":56054368698699,"sku":"R6538-8452","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":56054368731467,"sku":"R6538-9475","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a0673037165_16.jpg?v=1764961059","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/products\/haf","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}