Doce Carnaval by Alexia Bomtempo

Acclaimed Brazilian-American songstress Alexia Bomtempo will bring her trademark sultry Brazilian sounds to fans just in time for summer with a stunning new album called DOCE CARNAVAL to be released June 24 on Ropeadope. The nine-track album is a love letter to the timeless soundtrack of Brazilian Carnaval, with Bomtempo reimagining classic Carnaval songs and infusing them with her own intoxicating vocals and “doce” (sweet) musical flourishes.

The first single from the forthcoming album is “Banho de Cheiro,” with Alexia Bomtempo joined by fellow Brazilian singer/songwriter Roberta Sá for a breezy and bright interpretation of the Carnaval classic. The track is out today on Ropeadope and media outlets can listen here. Produced by Alexandre Vaz and Jake Owen and featuring celebrated NYC percussionist Mauro Refosco, the nostalgic track which was originally recorded in 1983 by legendary Brazilian singer Elba Ramalho, conjures up the timeless tradition of the Carnaval street parades and block parties, where the “cheiro” – desire-to give and receive affection despite the masks permeates the atmosphere.

“The concept for DOCE CARNAVAL came to us during the height of the pandemic. The world was so upside down and, on top of that, I was struggling with my own melancholy. I felt the need to connect with music that would bring me to a more positive place and my close friend and producer Alexandre Vaz had the idea of playing songs that reminded us of the bliss of Brazilian Carnaval, which seemed to represent everything that we couldn’t have at the time,” says Alexia Bomtempo. “Carnaval is about togetherness, celebrating, singing along, being with your friends, with the people that you love and with people that you come to love. I needed to sing with other people that I loved and admired. Roberta is a dear friend, and we’ve known each other for many years since my earlier days in Rio. We met while both studying with vocal coach Felipe Abreu. I love her voice and how deeply feminine “Banho de Cheiro” turned out with her.”

“Being around women I admire enhances, compliments, and strengthens my singing. Elba Ramalho is a hurricane of an artist from the northeast of Brazil who opened the door to many generations of female singers who would follow,” comments Roberta Sá. “Honoring her alongside my dear friend Alexia, with her soothing, yet firm and charming voice, reinforces the idea that female solidarity fosters the strength and courage needed to face the current times.”

Born to an American mother and a concert-promoter Brazilian father, Bomtempo was raised in the beach culture of Rio de Janeiro, while traveling to America frequently over the years. She grew up listening to Brazilian popular music and Bossa Nova, as well as rock, folk and jazz. Since relocating back to New York City, the Brazilian-American singer-songwriter Bomtempo has fully embraced, challenged, and redefined the Northern half of her American artistic roots. Equally comfortable wandering amidst hazy memory-inducing soundscapes as she is in delivering flowing melodies influenced by her beachside upbringing in Rio de Janeiro, Alexia is an artist of multiple worlds.