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Ocote Soul Sounds: The Alchemist Manifesto
Martin Perna has made a name for himself in recent years by lending his flute to tracks by TV on the Radio, Scarlet Johansson, and others, as well as being a founding member of Sharon Jones' Dap-Kings and leader of Antibalas. Adrian Quesada is the mind behind two of Austin, TX's hottest bands, the Prince-approved Grupo Fantasma and deep-funk aficionados Brownout. Perna and Quesada together? Simply unstoppable, as evidenced by the stellar selections found on their sophomore Manifesto.
The Alchemist Manifesto blends brassy downtempo jazz ("The Grand Elixir"), Fela-like afrobeat ("La reja"), and breakbeat funk ("The Alchemist Manifesto") and wraps it all in a soundtrack-worthy sheen. "Les Dunes d'Ostende" is more akin to the indietronica of Four Tet and Tortoise than Grupo Fantasma or Antibalas' interpretation of the word funk. "Hacia un manana major" is digital boom bap (think Anti-Pop Consortium), "Contra el sol" a getaway driver's soundtrack, and "Pelican," Latin-flavored soul rap (some Teddy Riley shit).
Perna and Quesada are in top-form on The Alchemist Manifesto. Collectively, from Antibalas to Brownout and all the many other projects these two brilliant artists are involved in on the side, it's clear these two are not running out of ideas any time soon. Manifesto is invigorating, the essence of cool, and a perfect soundtrack to your sultry summer.
Track Listing
The Grand Elixir; La Reja; El Pescador; Les Dunes D'Ostende; The Alchemist Manifesto; Gunpowder; Hacia Un Manana Mejor; Contra El Sol; Pelican; One Hundred Years; Carino
Personnel
Adrien Quesada: guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion, vocals; Martin Perna: flutes (alto, C, bamboo), baritone saxophone, acoustic guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion, vocals
Album information
Title: The Alchemist Manifesto | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Eighteenth Street Lounge Music
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