“Brazilian Reggae Experience Vol. 2” is Rafael “Rafa” Pondé’s ninth studio album and the first to feature a majority of original songs in English, the result of Rafa’s experience in San Diego, California, since 2022.
The album is entirely about conscious music and is the result of experimentation with yoga and meditation. The lyrics convey messages about the power of self-confidence, self-realization, joy, love, gratitude, and connection with Mother Nature.
This is an album for the soul… It was recorded between the United States (The Music Company in Pacific Beach, CA), where Rafa lives part of the year, and also in Brazil at Máfia Records in Salvador, during 2024.
Brazilian Reggae Experience Vol.2 was produced and mixed by Rafael Pondé and features co-production by DJ Caio Becker on the track “O Hippie” and a posthumous appearance by Rafa’s brother, Thiago Pondé (who passed away in January 2025), also on the track “O Hippie.”
The album featured legendary musicians such as Jon McKnight, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist who was part of Barrington Levi and Fully Fullwood’s band, among other reggae legends, as well as the band “Brazilian Reggae Experience,” which has accompanied Rafa on shows in California since 2022.
The band features Bob Lemos on drums, Pati Miranda on vocals, Pedro Oliveira on bass, Rodrigo Mendonça
on brass, Rafa Reis on accordion, and Jon McKnight on keyboards.
The album was partially funded by a crowdfunding campaign and was released digitally on July 11, 2025.
Rafael Pondé is a visionary and award-winning Brazilian artist with a passion for music from around the world. He is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and music producer.
He has recorded eight solo albums and collaborated with numerous artists, including 2025 Grammy-winning producer Hans Martin Buff (Prince, Joss Stone, Scorpions), Grammy-winning musician Bill Anschell, and the Latin Grammy-winning Brazilian band Natiruts, among others.
TRACKS
1, “Make it happen,” written by Rafa, speaks about the power we have to make things happen through personal transformation and emotional alchemy. The track features a beautiful horn arrangement by Rodrigo Mendonça.
2, “Jah can bring you back,” written by Bronson Tennis, features vocals by Gary Dread, one of the producers and musicians of the band “The Movement,” one of the leading Californian acts today. The track features a female choir featuring Pati Miranda, Sister Dani,
and Empress Coral.
3, “Sacred Place,” was composed by Rafa and Pati Miranda. Possibly the most rootsy track on the album, it features Marcos Odara, a percussionist from Bahia based in Oakland, CA. It also features solo vocals by Pati Miranda and a beautiful horn arrangement by Rodrigo Mendonça, with an emphasis on soprano sax.
4, “O Hippie,” is a classic Rafa composition revisited with co-production by Caio Becker. It features the posthumous participation of Thiago Pondé. The arrangement is a flirtation between Reggae and Afrobeat. The result is a modern Reggae with electronic beat influences.
5, “Praying for Love,” is a Reggae with Bossa Nova harmonies, featuring Rafa Reis on accordion and beautiful vocals by Rafa and Pati.
6, “Olha o Sol,” has lyrics in Portuguese that exalt the sun, and features Iuri Carvalho on drums; all other instruments recorded by Rafa.
MORE TRACKS
Track 7, “I Long for You,” is another track that showcases the richness of Brazilian harmonies. Rafa’s lyrics reflect the passing of his brother, Thiago Pondé, into eternity. Rafa plays his chromatic harmonica on the track.
Track 8, “Mar de Passion” features lyrics in Portuguese and Spanish for a song that celebrates the passion for life and the sea. A beautiful piano arrangement by Jon McKnight.
Track 9, “Sunshine” is a composition by Rafa that closes the album, before the dub versions. Rafa sings these lyrics with voice and guitar, extolling the belief in love and respect for nature and indigenous peoples.
LINKS
Click HERE to Listen to the album
Enjoy VIDEO
More info
Contact:
rafaelponde@hotmail.com
