"It's night. A sea of lights in- and outside in the casino shine her the way into the inside of the mighty building. With her skintight silk dress strolls past in money, diamonds, cigar smell and men gazing at her ...."

Big orchestra, blower and groovy percussion-sounds combined with a clear women's voice - this is "The Casino Royal". "The Casino Royal" was founded in Portugal by producer Pedro Janela. After a longer search, he decided on the singer Marisa Mena as firm "voice" for the still young band. The first album "Dolce Vita" was completely produced and recorded at Master Mix Studios in Portugal. The band, today consisting of Pedro Janela (production, keyboards), Marisa Mena (vocals), Mauro Ribeiro (guitar), Ricardo Ribeiro (percussion), Miguel Duarte (bass) and Filipa Cortes (violin), is influenced very strongly by the "Easy-Listening" sound. The voice of Fado-singer Maria Mena, cheeky, sexy or melancholy, embodies a breath of Hollywood in the 50s and 60s and brings this atmosphere also on stage during the live gigs of "The Casino Royal".

Inspired from the "Dolce Vita", to the luxurious life in the casino in which women and men are surrounded by money, luxury and hedonistic plays, the first album is to be understood as a perfect soundtrack for such a scenario. The film aesthetics and the soundtracks of the 60s and 70s had strong influence on the album "Dolce Vita" also. The idea and the red thread of "The Casino Royal" is the creation of a female character which is involved constantly in "Little Plays". Whether power plays between men and women in "Now that I'm Blond" or own play addiction in the casino are described in the lyrics of "The Casino Royal".

All songs from the album "Dolce Vita" are an epic, discribing presentation of circumstances. Step by step the listener can experience the pleasure of an outstanding Portuguese band.