Yn Rio

Carwyn Ellis from Cardiff/Wales is a singer, songwriter, composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He fronts Colorama, formed the Welsh folk group Bendith and hosts a regular themed radio show on Soho Radio. In 2019, Ellis embarked on the first project under his own name, Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18. Sung in Welsh and recorded mainly in Rio de Janeiro, the album, Joia! was nominated for the Welsh Music Prize and followed by Mas in early 2020. The new album Yn Rio is a collection of new songs recorded in Cardiff together with The BBC National Orchestra Of Wales.

The first single Olá!, incorporating Jorge Ben's spirit in the chorus and rhythmic breakdown, manages to sound languorous and euphoric. Cariad, Cariad was a Portuguese folk poem brought to Ellis' attention by Sonya from Quarteto em Cy and arranged by Christiaan Oyens. Tristwch 20 is a nod to Foot and Mouth 68 by Gorkys Zygotic Mynci from The Blue Trees, 'one of the most beautiful albums of all time', while Ynys Aur is named after a 1929 book by Welsh missionary J. Luther Thomas written on returning from his travels to Papua New Guinea. With Kassin unable to participate, Ellis thanks him by translating his A Paisagem Morta to create Y Bywyd Llonyd. For Carwyn Ellis Yn Rio is an extraordinary memorial to extraordinary times."There are some days so idyllic you just want tobe able to jump back into them at the touch of a button. That's what I was searching for when I was writing these songs."