Devika (Goddess) vinyl

Los Angeles' Alex Santos Orchestra previously paid tribute to classic jazz-funk imprint Red Clay Records via a 45 featuring covers of two classic cuts. On this follow-up, they've turned their attention to another similarly lauded label, Flying Dutchman Records, offering their interpretations of two tracks associated with one of the imprint's most-loved artists, Lonnie Liston Smith. On the A-side they handle 'Devika (Goddess)', a David Hubbard composition that they re-frame as an atmospheric, bass guitar-led slab of laidback, head-nodding jazz funk full of warming electric piano, flanged funk guitars and hazy horns. Arguably even better is their party-starting take on Liston-Smith's most celebrated tune, 'Expansions', whose familiar bassline and infectious groove never fails to get dancefloors moving.