A Tropical Latin Funk Fusion

10 MP3 Songs
LATIN: Latin Pop, WORLD: World Fusion



Details:
Spellbound, a Spanglish songwriting duo (Paul Thomas & Bobby Moon) from L.A., whom for the past 15 years, have been producing an ever expanding catalog of critically-acclaimed CDs. They've been called a multi-cultural party-in-a-box & Spellbound's original blend of soulful compositions & bi-lingual lyrics create a danceable fusion of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, funk, rock, & beyond.
The Los Angeles based multi-cultural Latin Funk masters have 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, Paul Thomas and vocalist/co-founder Bobby Moon have soldiered on commendably to the beat of their own drum programming.

With the Summer 2005 release of "Encantos" Spellbound's star may rise 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, as well as 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 is 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" means "spells" or "enchantments" in Spanish, and it's an enchanting danceable magic that could only be...Spellbound.

RADIO UPDATES:
"LAS LAVANDERAS" climbs to #5 on Tomas Algarin's "Latin Aura" on Jazz 91.9FM WCLK - Atlanta,Georgia
"MEJOR QUE NUNCA" climbs to #8 on Franco Silva's "Lation 54" on WMNF - Tampa, Floida
"ENCANTOS" CD Just Added to the following stations:
88.9FM KUCI - Irvine, CA
"Cantares Latinoamericanos Show" on 90.7FM WTCC (Hostess Raquel Obregon)
"The Upper Room" WVOF (Host Gi Dussault)
"NO MAS CASADAS" Added to the following station's playlist:
"Morning Becomes Eclectic" on 89.9FM KCRW - Santa Monica, CA (Host Nic Harcourt)
"Café L.A." on 89.9FM KCRW - Santa Monica, CA (Host Tom Schnabel)
"Dave's Radio Show" on 91.7FM KEOL's - Eastern Oregon University
"Off-Beat Show" - Bridgeport, CT
"HIGHWAY TO HIGHLIFE" is the first track to be played on "Viva The Rhythm Show" on The Fabulous 690 (690AM) - So. California (Host Jon Denny)
Live interview with Paul & Bobby on "Canto Tropical Show" on 90.7FM KPFK - Pacifica Radio
Talked about the new CD & played tracks from "Encantos" with hosts Hector 'la voz' Resendez & Kathy 'la rumbera' Diaz. Program aired on Sat., July 29th, 2005 (8pm-10pm).

RECENT REVIEWS:
"No me cabe duda que, luego de esta apasionada producción, Paul Thomas -- el fabuloso guitarrista -- y Bobby Moon, el cantante principal, van a llevar a su grupo Spellbound al infinito. Ya tienen la formula del éxito, y el cielo es el límite."- (EG)
Recent rave review of "Encantos" by Eric Gonzales on the August-September 2005 edition of HERENCIA LATINA.COM (Read the full review on the online's most comprehensive Latin music website: http://www.herencialatina.com

"Encantos delivers a mature work of art (musically speaking) from the dynamic duo that brings into focus the multi-instrumentation and composition skills of Thomas and the vocal and lyrical savvy of Moon."-(GR)
Review of "Encantos" by Gilbert Rivera. Read fill review in the August 2005 issue of LATIN BEAT MAGAZINE (Vol.15/No.6). Website at: http://www.lbmo.com