ラテン・グラミー賞に輝いたグループBala Desejoのメンバーであり、ブラジル音楽界の至宝Milton Nascimentoのツアーでもヴォーカルとギターを任された若き天才、Zé Ibarra。彼が自身の音楽的なルーツと野心を凝縮させたソロ作品『AFIM』が、信頼のMr Bongoレーベルからヴァイナルで登場した。

本作は、ブラジルの伝統的なMPB（ムジカ・ポピュラー・ブラジレイラ）を軸に、ジャズ、ポップ、そしてプログレッシブ・ロックの要素を大胆に融合させた意欲作だ。弾き語りのような親密な響きから、Jaques Morelenbaumによる映画のように壮大なストリングス・アレンジまで、多面的な表情を見せる。Caetano Velosoを彷彿とさせる心地よいリズムの「Transe」や、友人であるSophia Chablauの楽曲を独創的に再構築した「Segredo」のカヴァーなど、全8曲にわたって彼の唯一無二の歌声が響き渡る。

録音には、Bala Desejoの仲間であるLucas Nunesをはじめ、Alberto Continentino（ベース）やChico Lira（Fender Rhodes）といった名うてのミュージシャンが集結。ヴァイナルの溝に刻まれたのは、単なる音の記録ではない。指先が弦を弾く微かな音、オルガンの柔らかな唸り、そして幾重にも重なる打楽器のレイヤーが、再生とともに部屋の空気を震わせ、立体的な音像を作り出す。

レトロな質感に甘んじることなく、現代ブラジル音楽の最前線を切り拓く圧倒的なクオリティ。音楽への深い造詣と、若き感性が共鳴して生まれたこの一枚は、時代を問わず聴き継がれるべき輝きを放っている。

A1. Infinito Em Nós
A2. Segredo
A3. Transe
A4. Retrato De Maria Lúcia
B1. Da Menor Importância
B2. Morena
B3. Essa Confusão
B4. Hexagrama 28

Mr Bongo proudly presents, ‘AFIM’, the second solo album by one of Brazil’s most exciting new talents, Zé Ibarra. You may be familiar with the hypnotic, entrancing tones of Ibarra’s vocals through his work with the Latin Grammy award-winning, four-piece, Bala Desejo and the band Dônica. He has also toured with the musical titan, Milton Nascimento, performing guitar and vocals, which is quite the honour and a testament to Ibarra's craft. As a solo artist, he has performed headline solo shows in Japan, Portugal and the US, as well as recently completing a support tour with the great, Seu Jorge. 

‘AFIM’ is comprised of eight tracks, featuring Zé’s own compositions as well as cover versions of tracks by contemporaries and friends, Sophia Chablau, Tom Veloso, and Dora Morelenbaum. It combines elements of MPB, jazz, pop and progressive rock in a bold, authoritative style. The album represents the intersection between different facets of the artist, from the stripped-down, intimate, guitar singer-songwriter, to dense arrangements with sweeping strings sections. Writing this album allowed Ibarra "to explore sides of myself that had not yet been organized in an album: a certain darkness, a more cinematic musicality, a desire for new soundscapes. 

The album features the single, 'Transe', a song with an instantly comforting tone reminiscent of classic Brazilian songs of the past (think Caetano Veloso). It is built on a rhythmic guitar that supports dynamic sound layers, opening space for Ibarra's intense interpretation. Cinematic atmospheres that lend an air of mystery come courtesy of string arrangements by Jaques Morelenbaum.

His unique cover version of Sophia Chablau's 'Segredo' is equally compelling, taking Sophia's punky-indie original in a different direction and making it feel like his own. 'Essa Confusão', a song celebrating the intensity of love and co-written by Dora Morelenbaum, is steered into epic, 70's AOR, singer-songwriter territory with wind arrangements by Ibarra, Jorge Continentino and strings by Jaques Morelenbaum. 

The album is the result of the collaboration of experienced musicians and long-time partners of Ibarra. Fellow Bala Desejo and Dônica member Lucas Nunes co-produced the album. The core band featured on the record consists of Lucas Nunes on organs, Alberto Continentino on bass, Daniel Conceição and Thomas Harres on drums and percussion, Rodrigo Pacato on additional percussion, Chico Lira on Fender Rhodes and Guilherme Lírio on guitar.  

The overall feel of the record is archetypically quintessential without slipping into retro mode. It is a stunning album from one of the finest musicians of his generation. A true star of Brazil’s blooming contemporary scene.