Search - Spellbound :: Encantos

?Just keep going. Just keep going. That?s been our motto for the 21st century? says Spellbound?s co-founder and multi-instrumentalist Paul Thomas, and keep going they have. The Los Angeles-based multi-cultural Latin Funk outfit has just released their latest and possibly greatest CD ?Encantos?on Selfish Recordings. Going the independent route for the past 15 years, Spellbound has earned critical accolades, and has developed a hard-won group of admirers. Despite the lack of corporate backing, the dearth of dinero, and the necessity of wearing many hats, Thomas and vocalist/co-founder Bobby Moon have soldiered on commendably to the beat of their own drum programming. ?We would like to be able to tour and reach out to more people, and haven?t been able to,? they concede, ?but we?re proud that we haven?t sold our souls. And we?ve avoided many of the classic band pitfalls.? With the release of ?Encantos? Spellbound?s star may rise up a few more notches. The 10 tracks on this CD shine brighter than ever before thanks to major improvements in the recording, mixing and mastering process this time around. From the opening tune ?No Mas Casadas,? a cautionary, yet hilarious tune sung in Spanglish, to the epic final track (?So Close, So Far?), this CD refines and re-defines the Spellbound sound: euphoric dance grooves, tropical rhythms, male and female vocals, funky guitars, exotic instruments, and a heap of soul. In addition to principal songwriters Thomas and Moon, Spellbound includes long-time members Mike Daigeau on trombone and vocalist Sonora, whose expanded contributions were vital to this recording. There are the obligatory guests such as Johnny Polanco and flutist Art Webb, and also new invited artists including Ozomatli?s Asdru Sierra, and Cuban diva Candi Sosa. The real stars are the songs, though, and the love and time put into these tracks are obvious. They?re all new, but they seem to fit just like a favorite pair of old blue jeans. That was the aim. Very Los Angeles. Very Global. Very Sunny. Muy Caliente. ?Las Lavanderas? is Bobby?s poetic ode to the secret lives of washerwomen. ?Desde Aqui? sounds like classic Spellbound. ?Highway to Highlife? scintillates with its joyous African undercurrent. There are even two cover tunes! First there?s ?La Lupe Medley,? a groundbreaking medley of two songs originally recorded by legendary vocalist La Lupe. Guest vocalist Candi Sosa brings this track from a slow-burning torch to a fiery climax. Then, ?(Baila) Mi Salsa,? a Latin rocker originally performed by 1980's L.A. band Crocodile Tears, is given the Spellbound treatment. ?Encantos? will keep you under the spell of Spellbound. So just keep going...or grooving.