Grupo Fantasma

Summer is the season for dancing. We think so. The New York Times thinks so. And if you need a reason to break out your moves – or to acquire said moves – then spend some time with Grupo Fantasma.

The 10-piece orchestra plays a blend of funk, salsa, and cumbia, all powered by percussion, horns, and multiple vocalists.  On their fifth album, El Existential, the lyrics belie the upbeat mood, with tales of despair, heartache, and death.   In “La Conozco,” a guy obsesses over a beauty on the corner. But when he tries to get her digits, she splits before he can confirm his feeling that he’s met her before. “Montañozo” exhorts a mountain man to flee before unknown pursuers kill him. And “Juan Tenorio” alludes to the myth of Don Juan. Here, a cuckolded narrator confronts the legendary seducer and reveals he has killed his wife for her infidelity.

Grupo Fantasma, La Conozco

Grupo Fantasma sings in Spanish and channels the musical traditions of Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. In particular, the sound owes a debt to the salsa popularized by Fania Records in the 1960s. “Juan Tenorio” features pianist Larry Harlow, who produced more than 250 albums for Fania and is known in salsa circles as El Judio Maravilloso, the Amazing Jew.

Grupo Fantasma, Juan Tenorio (Feat. Larry Harlow)

Perhaps a more surprising guest on El Existential is guitarist Curt Kirkwood, who led the 80s band The Meat Puppets. Then again, Grupo Fantasma has cultivated a crossover audience over the last decade, sharing stages with Prince and Spoon and playing at South by Southwest and Austin City Limits, the blue chip music festivals in their hometown.

Grupo Fantasma, Sacatelo Bailando

A performance last week at (Le) Poisson Rouge was Grupo Fantasma’s last American show for a while.  The band is now touring Europe and Canada before they return to Texas, where they should have no trouble getting people to dance –or sweat.