ALEX SANTOS ORCHESTRA Vinyl & CDs

Review: The opening notes of Sun Goddess set the tone for what feels like the perfect soundtrack to a summer afternoon. Track one, 'Sun Goddess (Instrumental)', introduces a playful yet sophisticated guitar riff, effortlessly blending elements of funk and soul. It's the kind of groove that immediately hooks you, a little funky, a little laid-back, making it impossible not to nod along. Things get even more vibrant with track two, 'Sun Goddess (feat Mykah 9)'. Here, the energy is dialled up, offering a soulful twist as Mykah 9's vocals glide smoothly over the beat. The track oozes warmth, combining funky rhythms with a band-like cohesiveness that makes you feel like you're right in the middle of a live performance. It's an immersive experience, with the vocals adding richness and depth to an already bright sound. Both tracks embrace that quintessential summer vibe, blending funk, soul and a touch of band music to create something undeniably upbeat and positive. Mykah 9's contributions, particularly on 'Sun Goddess', add an extra layer of groove, making it a standout. There's an ease to these tracks, an effortless cool that makes them feel timeless, and together, they deliver a feelgood, sun-soaked energy that's hard to resist.

Review: The Alex Santos Orchestra is a self-described "orchestra" orchestrated for the express purpose of sanctifying one Alex Santos' lifelong love for jazz and Latin music. Following the much loved 'Alex Santos Y Su Orquesta', 2021's next step in Latinizing said quasi-conceptual ensemble, we've now landed in the project's live ambit. 'The Alex Santos Orchestra On Tour' captures just two live highlights from a much more recent outing (given the mystification surrounding the project, this may or may not have happened). Whatever the case, these recordings span both potentialities, retaining something of a highly-strung Hammond organ come upfront-drumkit drama on the B-side, 'Mr Clean', and an equally stirring version of the main theme from 'The Godfather' on the A.