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Grupo Fantasma
Sonidos Gold
Austin, Texas
Wikipedia calls Grupo Fantasma a “Latin funk orchestra” and the Village Voice’s internationally recognized reviewer, Jim Caligiuiri says, “They’re the best band in Austin.” Created by fusing two other bands this album is the quintessential Latin band touring now. They are eleven members large with a big band sound including horns and percussion that are vital to maintaining the essential traditional elements of Latin music.
Maceo Parker is a special guest on the Sonidos Gold CD. Anyone ever heard of him? He was one of the pioneers of this sound. When you get someone of the stature of Maceo (His discography is as long as your arm including work with James Brown and George Clinton/Bootsy Collins) to sit in on your session, as a musician, you realize you are there. Our local punk funk hero Prince endorses them by saying, “Real musicians playing real music!”
It doesn’t take me very long to get into that funky dance rhythm. Dogg dances these mean streets like I own the place and I’m close to the surface of the streets as I ride and I get a chance to embrace the geography that I love. This sound is reminiscent not of the B, S, &T, Chicago, or Electric Flag style but more of Carlos Santana’s lesser-known brother, Jorge and the twelve member band Malo that had several good albums toward the late 60’s and early 70’s.
Grupo Fantasma starts their CD Sonidos Gold with El Sabio Soy Yo (The Wiseman) and a percussion intro with a storyline that reminds me of Carlos Castenada and a Yaqui way of life.
The song Naci De La (Rumba Y Guaguanco) is an explanation of the songwriter’s musical background. It also contains a traditional Yoruba Chant, which is something I would love to hear more of. It contains some of the most brilliant horn work I’ve heard since the original Al Kooper’s/BST/The Child Is The Father To The Man. This is the sound. One foot in the traditions yet, moving forward into the new millennium. It is an absolute joy to hear these musicians jam to the fade. I really dig the Trombone solo. Where do you hear a ‘bone solo nowadays?
Rebotar (Bounce Back) I haven’t heard tremolo/reverb in a long time. This might be what some reviewers are referring to when they call these musicians part of the psychedelia phenomenon of the 60’s. Those were the days when guitar players were infatuated with the Tremolo/Reverb thing. These guys aren’t infatuated but use these effects sparingly to invoke a different time. Tasteful use of effects is a big point in my lexicon.
Cumbia De Los Pajaritos is a song made for the cumbia music created when the African slaves the Spanish brought mixed with the local indigenous culture in Columbia. It was originally a courtship ritual.
The eighth track on Sonidos Gold, Gimme Some is a clever take-off on Carlos Santana’s Oye Como Va done in honor of the Great C. Santana and his numerous contributions to both Latin music and just plain music.
El Desconocido (The Unknown Person) is a disturbing lyric that looks to shock the listener on the possible results of a gang membership.
I have begun to move southwest around Lake Harriet and into Edina and I can see the people on the street turn their heads to look at me like I’m strange and I probably do because I’m not riding this bike any more. I’m dancing it down the belly of this suburb. But, then I notice that some of them are smiling at me. It is there that I make the connection. Everyone that’s open to it understands the meaning of joy. I turn the bike around and head for home. I’ve got a review to write.
Jamison Mahto/Reporter
Indigenous in the News
www.iicoc.com
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