Francesca Confortini & Ryan Mackenzie: ‘Mosaico’

'Mosaico’ brings a touch of Brazil to a particularly cold and wet UK winter, with collaboration between vocalist Francesca Confortini and composer and arranger Ryan Mackenzie.

Several distinct elements come together beautifully in the collaboration that is Mosaico - vocals, strings, horns and a steaming hot rhythm section.

There are some particularly brilliant moments, like the gorgeous trombone on Casa Forte and complex layers of vocals that blend and accent the arrangements.

The third track and possibly my favourite is How Insensitive, a Mackenzie arrangement of the Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes composition, with English Lyrics by Norman Gimbel. Luca Boscagin’s guitar works seamlessly with Confortini’s vocals and the lush strings.

As well as the Jobim and de Moraes classic tune, there are brilliant, intricate Mackenzie arrangements of Brazilian favourites from Haroldo Lobo and Niltinho’s Tristezza as well as Pixinguinha’s Carinhoso.

Alongside Francesca Confortini’s vocals, Mackenzie’s arrangements come to life with London-based strings and horns, but the ‘mosaic’ in question is held together by the glue that is a solid, inventive rhythm section - Ed Rice (piano), Luca Boscagin (guitar), Matheus Nova (bass), Marcinho Pereira (drums) and Barak Schmool percussion).

Mosaico is out on Tessera Records on 20 March 2026