Muca & Roberto Menescal Muca Roberto Menescal Beleza

BELEZA, is my urge to revisit my Brazilian roots, in music and my culture, after living in the UK from 16 years.
More than a title, BELEZA (translation: noun-beautiful) is a state of mind, is as well an expression widely used in It’s typical of spoken Brazilian Portuguese to state positive mindset. Beleza is more than beauty —the word goes far beyond its literal meaning of “beauty”; it’s a way of expressing ease, openness, and a positive mindset. That spirit sits deeps at the heart of this record.
Muca & Roberto Menescal: BELEZA, came out with the urgency of reconnecting with my Brazilian roots—musically and culturally—
The album reintroduces bossa nova, one of Brazil’s most iconic musical forms, to a new and curious audience worldwide—listeners ready to (re)discover its subtlety and emotional depth. BELEZA brings past and future together; connecting Brazilian music and bossa nova movement of the 1950s with world-class singers from Brazil, the UK, and beyond, placing tradition and contemporary voices in close conversation.
The album features a very special guest: Roberto Menescal, the last living founding figure of the bossa nova and a Grammy Award Winner for Lifetime Music Achievement. Menescal not only performs on the record but also co-produces the album with me, marking a rare meeting between generations.
In search of varied soundscapes, colours, and tonalities, I carefully selected twelve singers from around the world, each bringing a distinct voice and sensibility to the music. Liana Flores, anaiis, Josyara, Fabiana Cozza, Sofia Grant, Sahra, Mirella Costa, Ilessi, Alice SK, Heidi Vogel, and Amanda Maria contribute performances that add depth, texture, and character across the album.
Living in the UK for such a long time, reshaped how I hear and make music. Immersion in British and European scenes—where jazz, folk, indie, electronic music, soul, and experimental production often intersect—influenced the album’s sonic palette: spacious arrangements, contemporary textures, and a production approach that favours restraint, detail, and atmosphere. These elements sit alongside the rhythmic subtlety and melodic intimacy of Brazilian music, creating a sound that feels rooted yet outward-looking.
The album features twelve songs: six sung in English and six in Portuguese, reflecting a balance between my Brazilian roots and the influences shaped by years living and working abroad.
Following the tradition of early bossa nova, I handpicked a group of exceptional lyricists to restore the sense of parceria that was so central to the genre’s origins. L.A. Salami, Cesar Lacerda, Joshua O’Connor, and Alice SK each contributed lyrics, bringing distinct voices and perspectives to the project.
It’s an urge of bringing music and recored in a way used to be done, yet fully independent; definitely the biggest challenge of my life with an incredible great outcome.
BELEZA is both a personal return and a collective reimagining: a bridge between generations, geographies, and perspectives, rooted in Brazilian culture while looking outward.