Muca & Roberto Menescal - Muca Roberto Menescal Beleza Muca & Roberto Menescal

A globe-spanning reimagining of bossa nova from legendary Brazilian composer Roberto Menescal and vocalist Muca.

Rooted in rhythmic subtlety and melodic intimacy, Beleza draws on MPB, soul, and folk to create what Muca describes as "a global choir built on a bossa nova foundation", honouring the tradition while reaching toward something genuinely new.

Highlights include a track featuring vocalist Sofia Grant, whose folk-jazz sensibility moves lightly across the keys before giving way to stirring strings. The lyrics were written by acclaimed British poet and songwriter L.A. Salami, bringing his signature literary depth to one of the album's most poignant moments.

In keeping with bossa nova's literal meaning, "new wave", Menescal set out to find fresh voices and ideas. The result is an album that bridges Brazilian culture past and present, as alive with discovery as the movement that inspired it.

Review in Songlines publication - "A Beleza de Ser", featuring the singing of Brazilian Ilessi, demonstrates the apparent effortlessness with which Brazilian melody is conjured from thin air, while the soft voice of Liana Flores seduces on the mix of bossa nova, indie and folk on 'Midnight Lullaby'.