Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18

Still possibly the world’s only musical group to fuse Latin music of all kinds with the Welsh language, Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 are an international collective formed by songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Carwyn Ellis after his first visit to South America in 2018 as a touring member of Pretenders. Indeed - the idea to fuse Welsh language songs with latin music came from Chrissie Hynde herself! Over the course of 6 albums, this vibrant project has brought together a brilliant collection of personnel, as talented as they are varied - artists who've worked with Rio 18 include Young Gun Silver Fox (UK/USA), Kassin, Nina Miranda, Moreno Veloso, Domenico Lancellotti, Silvia Machete (all from Brazil), Luzmira Zerpa (Venezuela), Little Barrie (UK) and Coco Maria (Mexico). In reverse to how the first two Rio 18 albums were recorded in Rio de Janeiro and mixed in the UK, the new album 'Haf' was recorded in London, Cardiff, Llandwrog (and Helmsdale!) and ultimately mixed over five hectic days in Rio, with the great Brazilian producer Kassin. Three days later, it was mastered and at the pressing plant. Time doesn’t wait for Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18! Making tropical-infused songs of hope, history and harmony, recorded in a spirit of international brother and sisterhood, Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 show just what we can achieve if we dream, work and play... together.