By the time he released Joia, the first album under his own name, Carwyn Ellis had already made his mark as the leader of the band Colorama, a trusted collaborator of Edwyn Collins and a member of the Pretenders' touring band. It was in the latter capacity that the seeds for Joia were sown. On tour in South America, Ellis scoured the record stores for finds, usually leaving with a full bag. His boss Chrissie Hynde took notice and suggested he record an album of music inspired by the records he was buying. To make it easier, she called up her friend, the prolific producer Kassin, and pitched the idea to him. He agreed, so Ellis wrote some songs and flew to Rio for a week. The duo called in the services of drummer Domenico Lancellotti, guitarist Manoel Cordeiro, and percussionist Andre Siqueira to bring the songs to life. Ellis then flew back to London to finish the tracks with producer Shawn Lee. The end product is a lovely album that blends sweet Welsh pop with loose and lovely Brazilian sounds, shuffling soul sambas, and gentle funk rhythms. The relaxed and rippling music locks in harmoniously with Ellis' mellifluous vocals (sung both in Welsh and Portuguese) and calming melodies in truly peaceful and sunny fashion. Maybe the best way to describe the overall sound is like this: If one could somehow take a slice of a late afternoon summer day when the sun is shining in that special way it does when it's just beginning to set and the warmth spreads through everyone like they were being massaged by the breeze and take a slice of it, then put that slice on a turntable -- these are the sounds that would come out of the speakers. Within that very specific sound there are some nice variations, too. Songs like the laid-back and bouncy "Dant Melys" or the sultry "Hen Beth Cas" capture the moments when sitting back and doing nothing is the best option; the Krautrock-meets-disco groover "Ymosodwyr Anweledig" and the high-stepping "Olion" are perfect for getting up and dancing a little; "Tywydd Hufen Iâ" sounds like a lost bossa nova classic, and "Duwies y Dre" is a perfect little pop gem. Throughout the album the precise and polite pop style Ellis has perfected over the years mixes easily with the nimble Brazilian grooves the musicians add; it's a wonderful collision of cultures and styles done in such a way that it never seems like appropriation. Instead, it sounds like a cultural exchange -- something made clear by Ellis sharing billing with the band (dubbed Rio 18.) In Welsh, "Joia" means "enjoy"; in Portuguese it means "groovy." Both words certainly apply to this wonderfully summery and sweet record. ~ Tim Sendra, Rovi

1		Unman
2		Tywydd Hufen Iâ
3		Dant Melys
4		Duwies y Dre
5		Gwên
6		Olion
7		Ymosodwyr Anweledig
8		Hen Beth Cas
9		Undiú
10		Diolch Amdani