DESCRIPTION
As mood changers go, this track is up there with the very best. While DJing with Miche at Shapes Festival in the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland last year, a breathtaking yet ominous Alpine sky suddenly turned into a postcard moment. The clouds parted and a double rainbow emerged — just as Miche dropped Studio Rio’s bossa nova remake of Bill Withers’ all-time classic Lovely Day. In that magical moment, the dancefloor transformed, bursting into feel-good euphoria — spontaneous and unforgettable.
Mr Bongo now proudly reissues this brilliant, bossa-infused reinterpretation from Studio Rio’s 2014 release The Brazil Connection. Created by German Grammy-winning producers The Berman Brothers, the project was born from their deep love of Brazilian music.
“Our goal was to bring the Brazilian joie de vivre to iconic performances by well-known artists. What would these classic songs sound like had they been recorded in the studios of Rio de Janeiro in the first place, with the best Brazilian musicians and arrangers?” – The Berman Brothers
In pursuit of capturing Brazil’s musical heartbeat, they travelled to Rio in 2013. Serendipity led them to legends Marcos Valle and Roberto Menescal, who both enthusiastically joined the project. The brothers also sought musicians who had played with Brazil’s most influential composer, Tom Jobim. Remarkably, many of Jobim’s original sidemen were still active — including Paulo Braga, the drummer from Jobim’s iconic rhythm section. Everything fell into place like magic.
With the blessing of Bill Withers and Sony, Studio Rio was granted access to the original multitracks, allowing Bill’s timeless vocals to shine within a fresh, sun-drenched bossa arrangement. Pretinho da Serrinha’s cavaquinho playing brings samba sparkle, underpinned by buoyant double bass and joy-injected horns. Arranger Torcuato Mariano — whose credits include Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil, and Caetano Veloso — completes the stellar lineup.
The result: a soul-lifting, end-of-the-night gem. A true mood enhancer and a shining example of how respectful reworks can breathe new life into legendary songs.
TRACKLIST
A Side
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Bill Withers & Studio Rio – Lovely Day (Studio Rio Version)
B Side
2. Bill Withers & Studio Rio – Lovely Day (Studio Rio Instrumental Version)