Zé Ibarra - AFIM (2025 Mr Bongo Limited Edition Transparent Vinyl LP)

Zé Ibarra - AFIM | Vinyl LP - 2025 Mr Bongo Limited Edition Transparent (MRBLP234, Coala Records)

Zé Ibarra is best known outside Brazil as a member of Bala Desejo, the Latin Grammy Award-winning four-piece that sits at the centre of contemporary Brazilian popular music. He also plays in Dônica, has toured with Milton Nascimento as guitarist and vocalist, and has performed solo shows in Japan, Portugal and the US. AFIM is his second solo album, co-produced with Lucas Nunes — fellow Bala Desejo and Dônica member — and co-released internationally on Mr Bongo and in Brazil on Coala Records.

The core band across the eight tracks 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. Guest contributors include Jonas Sá on keyboards and synthesisers, Frederico Heliodoro on guitar and bass across several tracks, and Lucas Demoro on piano, guitar and synthesiser. The Copacabana Horns — Diogo Gomes on trumpet, Marlon Sette on trombone, Jorge Continentino on saxophone and flute — appear on the opening track "Infinito em nós." String arrangements on "Essa Confusão" are by Jaques Morelenbaum, the renowned Brazilian cellist and arranger who has worked with Caetano Veloso and Ryuichi Sakamoto, among many others. "Segredo" is a composition by Sophia Chablau; "Essa Confusão" is co-written by Dora Morelenbaum; the album also includes a cover of a Tom Veloso composition. The 2-page booklet includes full lyrics and credits. This is a limited edition transparent vinyl pressing.