Rio 18’s latest album, “Radio Chévere”, is a thrilling cross-continental ride through the many worlds of Latin and Tropical music, guided by the infectious voice of guest DJ Coco Maria. Spearheaded by Carwyn Ellis, a Welsh musician with an insatiable passion for Latin sounds, this album plays out like a vibrant, kaleidoscopic mixtape, blending cultures, languages, and genres into an ambitious yet undeniably fun sonic adventure.
From the moment Radio Chévere begins, it’s clear that it defies simple categorization. Imagine a radio show set in the tropics, with each track acting as a postcard from a different musical destination. Samba, salsa, funk, cumbia, joropo, disco, psychedelia, and electronic elements all make their way into the mix, painting a lively portrait of migration and musical exchange. It’s a celebration of the global reach of Latin rhythms, taking listeners from the sun-drenched beaches of Brazil to the bustling streets of Mexico City, from Venezuela’s Afro-Latin grooves to the electro-charged pulse of Los Angeles.
At its core, Radio Chévere feels like an internationalist love letter, written with sincerity, passion, and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of pure fun. While Rio 18 founder Carwyn Ellis has previously flirted with Latin influences, here he dives in headfirst, crafting a record that’s unapologetically eclectic. His collaborators, including Brazilian legends the +2’s featuring Moreno Veloso, Kassin, and Domenico Lancellotti, Venezuelan llanera queen Luzmira Zerpa, and the genre-blurring Yacht Rock duo Young Gun Silver Fox, each bring their own flavor, making the album feel like a collaborative jam session that spans both time and geography.
Take the tender samba ballad “Oh Minha Querida,” which stands out with its lush arrangements and soft rhythms, perfectly embodying the Brazilian spirit. Then there’s “Maybe Man,” a funk-filled romp with Silvia Machete’s sultry vocals guiding the track through a steamy dance floor, or the airy Yacht Rock of “She’s In LA,” which offers a smooth, California AOR breeze amid the tropical heat. Every track offers something distinct, making the album feel like a multi-course feast that spans Latin America’s diverse musical landscape.
One of the album’s biggest achievements is its linguistic dexterity. The songs bounce between Spanish, Portuguese, Welsh, and English, reflecting Ellis’ own experience learning new languages and diving deeper into the cultures he admires. “Padre Tiempo,” with Luzmira Zerpa’s stirring vocals set against an Afro-Venezuelan pulse, feels timeless—like it could have been recorded decades ago or just last week. And yet, despite its diversity, Radio Chévere never feels disjointed. Thanks to the deft production, which Ellis shared with Shawn Lee and Pierre Duplan among others, and Coco Maria’s narrative through-line, the album holds together as a cohesive journey.
The album also serves as a metaphor for migration, a theme that reverberates through every beat and melody. The music moves as freely as the people who inspire it, crossing borders, merging traditions, and reflecting the global realities of migration and cultural exchange. This isn’t just an album for Latin music lovers—it’s for anyone who has ever felt a connection to a culture different from their own.
Rio 18’s Radio Chévere is the sound of joyous exploration. It’s funky, adventurous, and brimming with life, expertly balancing the past with the present, all while keeping the dance floor packed. And while it’s certainly ambitious, it never loses sight of what makes Latin music so intoxicating in the first place: its ability to bring people together. Whether you’re fluent in samba or just learning how to salsa, Radio Chévere welcomes you with open arms and an irresistible groove.
In a world where borders feel more rigid than ever, Radio Chévere serves as a beautiful reminder that music knows none.
