When you mention the word downtempo to someone, Ocote Soul Sounds And Adrian Quesada's "The Alchemist Manifesto" would be an album that exemplifies the best aspects of the genre. Holding true to the sounds of their first release, Ocote Soul Sounds bring out the Latin/Soul grooves, funk guitars and horn section leads and presents a vintage-inspired but completely relevant release.

1. The Grand Elixir
2. La Reja
3. El Pescador
4. Les Dunes D'Ostende
5. The Alchemist Manifesto
6. Gunpowder
7. Hacia Un Mañana Mejor
8. Contra El Sol
9. Pelican
10. One Hundred Years
11. Cariño

"The Grand Elixir" kicks off, fittingly so, with a flute flourish and then introduces a slow groove with Blaxploitation guitar and horn arrangements sounding like they came from Isaac Hayes’ personal notes circa 1972. "La Reja" ups the funk with a bongo fury solo and Fela Kuti-style chant. "El Pescador" picks right up with more multi-voice chanting over a relaxed beat. The title track is a treat in headphone listening with its hypnotizing bass and shimmering Rhodes and clavinet action.

"Gunpowder" picks up the groove with a prickly ska beat and chunky guitar solo. "Hacia Un Mañana Mejor" flips over to the electronic side with handclaps and synth stabs but is nicely complemented with warm percussion. "Contra El Sol" is a strange yet refreshing moment in the album coming across as an Italian cinema cover tune of the Phantasm soundtrack.

"Pelican" jumps back and sits down on the couch with more flute leads and supersoul bass grooves. "Cariño" finishes off the cd with a shuffling dub groove and mellow guitar strum and underlying Latin-groove percussion.

Ocote Soul Sounds and Adrian Quesada have given us a real treat that holds up after several listens. The fact that they’ve messed with the formula slightly has really made for a better listening experience and holds up as an album. Where the previous album wore a little on the listener with the constant JBs grooves, The Alchemist Manifesto gives us more detailed interaction between the players and the nuances of the rhythm which results in something well worth owning.

~ Dedric Moore

Add a Comment