Mafalda Minnozzi’s RIOFONIC is a radiant, worldly celebration of Brazilian music seen through the lens of a truly global jazz artist. Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, the album feels less like a covers project and more like a heartfelt homecoming—one shaped by decades of cultural exchange between Italy, Brazil, and the United States. Minnozzi’s voice is the album’s guiding force: elegant, rhythmically playful, and emotionally generous, carrying each song with a warmth that feels both intimate and expansive. Her signature percussive scat and multilingual phrasing turn familiar standards into living, breathing conversations rather than museum pieces.
Across the tracklist, RIOFONIC moves effortlessly between reverence and reinvention. Classics like “Corcovado,” “Garota de Ipanema,” and “Água de Beber” are delivered with deep respect for their melodic soul, yet Minnozzi and producer-guitarist Paul Ricci ensure they never feel predictable. The arrangements shimmer with subtle sophistication, allowing space for improvisation and texture—whether it’s the gentle sway of “O Barquinho,” the lyrical elegance of “Eu e a Brisa,” or the cinematic glow of “Postcard From Rio.” Guest appearances from Brazilian legends such as Roberto Menescal and Jaques Morelenbaum add historical depth, grounding the album firmly in Rio’s musical lineage
What ultimately sets RIOFONIC apart is its sense of lived experience. This is not an artist visiting Brazilian music—it’s an artist who has lived inside it. Minnozzi’s interpretations feel informed by years of collaboration, touring, and cultural immersion, resulting in performances that balance technical mastery with genuine emotional connection. The album flows like an evening in Rio itself: relaxed yet refined, nostalgic yet alive, deeply rooted yet open to the world. RIOFONIC stands as a graceful testament to jazz as a universal language—and to Mafalda Minnozzi as one of its most eloquent storytellers.
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