Sound Colour Vibration (Music | Art | Film | Technology | Science | Culture)

As music spirals into infinite directions of synthetic and electronic frameworks, there are those who still stand tall in the electric-acoustic and organic fusion that sprung out like a never ending spring in the 60′s and 70′s. Medeski, Martin and Wood to Jaga Jazzist to the The Heliocentrics, the lush compositional state of artists that took from that fruitful era have created some of the most timeless bodies of works since that period. Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra are a group I just caught up to this year when I received a package from the illustrious Ubiquity Records a month ago. Set to release their first proper studio album Last Odyssey on the 17th of this month, this is one stunning album that flows with a sense of passion that is as electrifying as it is trance like. Nigerian funk, fusion, latin jazz and many other genres of vintage sounds of the 60′s and 70′s create the body of work Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra stand for. The spiritual state of the music couldn’t radiate any more than it does with the Last Odyssey.

Every track on Last Odyssey is a blow out into a euphoric state of musical energy that manages to burn with sophistication of raw power not for note into the speakers. Flute, guitar, percussion, sax, trumpet, keyboards and drums are layered inside of one another with some of the most free and open sounding African and Latin foundations merged seamlessly. It’s molten hot when everything really starts to cook up and is a perfect album for contemplation as it is for moving your hips. Stand up bass sounds like it is about to stretch back like a rubber band, running huge lines up and down the neck of the bass like Charlie Haden or Charles Mingus. The music, like the bands names suggest, is as vintage sounding as it comes with an analog sensibility that gives the mix an extra push in dynamics. As percussion rattles under the rhythm section and melodies, you feel like you are strapped into a live performance with thousands loosing their mind under the presence of this gifted band. Every section is thick with texture and there is always a guiding presence in whoever is allowed to solo on top of everything.

With a lot of modern music shifting into compartments of space that allow for one to close themselves off from anyone else in the band, the Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra communicate in the most advanced and group orientated way. You can easily hear how every member reachers their potential as a whole and not separated aspects. It doesn’t get more serious than the Last Odyssey, and that’s something I stand by strongly.

Originating from France, the Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra’s music travels far past their homeland and musically moves entirely around the globe. Headed by Masta Conga, Last Odyssey is a travel into the ethos of modern fusion that originated from both Africa and the Americas. If you are into organic and cultural music, I doubt you’ll hear a better record this year.

Erik Otis

Order the CD or LP from Ubiquity Records HERE

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Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra’s new album Last Odyssey finds the French band in fine form, creating music with Jazz as it’s foundation laced with strains of Ethio and Nigerian Funk combined with Latin Percussion and rhythms. By taking the “heaviest” elements from each genre and distilling it down to it’s most potent form, the band’s true identity is revealed and sets them apart from their influences. – Ubiquity Records