True Groove Records (label)
20 May 2016 (released)
26 April 2016
Working with a talented lineup of collaborators who lift the beats up out of the dance floor and in to the atmosphere, Mac Gallehon & The Hispanic Mechanics is a groovy piece of electronic/latin fusion.
Mac Gallehon has as impressive a resume as anyone in the field. On top of fulfilling trumpeter duties for Duran Duran, Nile Rodger's Chic, Grace Jones and Rick James, Gallehon played lead on 'Let's Dance' by the late, great David Bowie. The man has more than proven his clout in the field but with his band's new self-titled album, he seeks to bridge the gap between the past and future with jazz compositions that cleverly blend traditional salsa with slick modern production.
Album opener and lead single, 'No More Drama' has it all. Milky Rhodes keys and trumpet declarations meld in to didgeridoo and disco guitar. Munchkin choruses ring over relentless modern salsa. Serious musical fusion.
'Exito Obscuridad' has the maracas and timbales take a back seat to a smooth as silk bass line that takes the salsa from raucous down to a pulsing almost electro groove. The song's title echoes over chic city synths and Gollehon's meandering trumpet, leading you through the song like a guide through a sweaty island party under the stars.
The maracas haven't been shelved yet. The beat comes back in hard and fast on 'Dale Jamon'. Gallehon duets with himself, seeing if he can top him self with an ever higher squeals to the heavens.
'Il Aceite' leans the rhythm back to get your neck bobbing. The band sits right back in to pure funk. Gallehon goes from swerving jazz solo to full on riffing call and response. Definitely one of the album's strongest.
'Elegancia' is a cruise through the city, neon reflecting off wet streets. Passing shouts and conversations. A sultry number riding shotgun. Driving off in to the moonlight.
The album winds down with four remixes which serve as a B-side to the album's originals. The remixes peel away the more vigorous of the latin percussion and replace it with trip-hop breaks and scratches and light dubstep oscillators. These reinventions fit right in with the progressive EDM vibe of the album, almost befitting the overall concept of the album more than their originals. This album goes to show that latin music has interesting directions to go if it's ambassadors can think outside of the box.
