They've certainly got the sound to support that -- Sonidos Gold begins with funky percussion and a wall of horns on "El Sabio Soy Yo" and only slows down a bit on the final Ry-Cooderish track, "Perso Fra I Mesquites." Between those two are ten other tracks that go great with summertime and sweat.
Grupo Fantasma may not be as well known as groups Ozomatli -- to whom they'll certainly be compared, but this album and their summer tour should help change that. I haven't seen them, but have heard they put on a fantastic live show.
This track has something of a Santana feel -- and it's a perfect summer rocker, with that great guitar sound, a tight sax solo, and the sing-along refrain "Ain't got no money / gimme some." Easy to relate to that when you're sweating in a plastic chair in the driveway next to your El Dorado, wishing you had cash for gas.
[mp3] Grupo Fantasma:
from Sonidos Gold
band website: www.grupofantasma.com
On tour through Sept. 18
