Sonidos Gold by Grupo Fantasma

Known as the funkiest, finest and hardest working latin orchestra to come of the United States in the last decade, Grupo Fantasma’s trademark sound has translated comprehensively on their new album Sonidos Gold – it’s an incredible and animated performance interwoven with mature and intelligent songwriting that is equally at home with the classic 1960s Fania All-Stars sound AND the progressive benchmark set by artists such as Manu Chao. Guided by the deeply rooted traditions of cumbia, salsa, funk, and pyschedelia this masterful ensemble band has forged a fresh new standard of excellence in latin music.

Special guests on the album include legendary saxophonist Maceo Parker, Fania All-Stars pianist and arranger Larry Harlow, trombonist Greg Boyer (Prince, Parliament Funkadelic), and a bonus track/remix by producer Toy Hernandez (Control Machete, Juanes, Alejandro Sanz). Recording and mixing on the album was executed at Stuart Sullivan’s Wire Recording facility in Austin, responsible for notable projects by Sublime, Meat Puppets, and Butthole Surfers.

There is no doubt that Sonidos Gold will be remembered as an instant and timeless classic. From the epic and head bobbing entrance of “El Sabio” to the textural violin and peyote-laden conlusion of “Perso Fra i Mesquites” the record’s dozen tracks are as pertinent to the past as they will be influential on the future.

“It’s the definitive Grupo Fantasma album, the one we’ve wanted to make since the beginning” declares Adrian Quesada, one of the band’s guitarists, co-founders and head producer. “The sound is organic, live, while sonically it’s big and roomy with psychedelic and cinematic undertones. It pays homage to the forefathers of this music yet is forward thinking at the same time.” When asked about working and recording with Larry Harlow and Maceo Parker, Quesada states “These guys are musical institutions. When you feel like maybe you're losing steam and someone like Larry or Maceo is schooling you and stressing the importance of carrying the torch, you can't help but feel re-energized and part of a larger, more important picture in the scheme of things.”

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