A Fantasma rocks the house

By Sara E. Alsup
Adelante staff writer

Danceable rhythms, driving horn lines, and sharp lyrics fill Grupo Fantasma’s sophomore effort, Movimiento Popular.
The phrase Movimiento Popular can refer to a grass roots movement or uprising. In Grupo Fantasma’s case, the title is a play on words referring to both the band’s self produced CD’s and the familiar dance patterns found in their music. In a blend of cumbia rhythms and rock ’n’ influences, the band continues to defy conventional expectations for Latin bands.
“It (the CD) was done on a total grass roots level,” guitarist Adrian Quesada said. “It’s where we were at in our career, basically going against the grain constantly.”
The new CD maintains an intensity and passion through all 16 tracks. “Ya no Puedo,” the last cut on the CD represents the band’s take on 1980’s funk. It stays true to the genre with shiny phrases from the horns, a cutting sax solo, and smooth vocals. On “Oye Mi Cumbia,” Ruben Ramos, a well know tejano singer, joins Grupo Fantasma, a collaboration that showcases the band’s versatility in playing different styles. “His singing really changed how we played that song,” Quesada said. “His singing is not as syncopated — basically (he) sounds like a very experienced old singer.”
Most of the songs on the CD were written by saxophonist Joseph Serrato and percussionist and vocalist, Jose Galeano. But as the band continues to develop musically more members are writing songs for the band. Despite offers from various labels, the band decided once again to release their CD independently. Tired of waiting for labels to finalize plans, Grupo Fantasma decided that the talent and vision needed to produce their music was within themselves.
“We wanted to hold on to our integrity and creative vision,” Quesada said. “We felt we could do the job. At the end of the day we get to make every decision based on what makes us happy.”
On April 22, Grupo Fantasma returned to Columbia once again to perform at the Music Café. While rain drizzled outside, the band’s jams kept the audience dancing from beginning to end and through the encore. Ursulla Jose, an enthusiastic dancer, heard about the group from a friend who saw the it last year. “I like it because I’m from Brazil,” she said. “I like that kind of music.”
The band’s sold out concert at the Music Café last year was one of the most rewarding experiences of their tour. “We had the best show of our tour there last year,” he said. “Really good shows always reflect the city.”
The band’s intensity is a big draw for people like Johnny Finn, manager of the Music Café. “They’ve got groove and energy — they’ve got backpacks full of it,” he said. “It’s 12 people up on this tiny stage — just jamming.”
Since their last Columbia show, the band has added two new members — a trombone player and a percussionist — to their 10-piece ensemble.
As for their future plans, the band is letting their music determine its course. “The band can go in so many directions — it’s hard to call it out,” Quesada said. “We try and have a new song every rehearsal and just play and play until something sounds right.”
Despite the diverse influences of their music, the band remains deeply connected to the cumbia, which is like a backwards reggae, according to Quesada. Most of the band’s members come from towns on the border of Texas and Mexico, where the cumbia is part of the daily pulse.
“The rhythms are ingrained in the ears of the band members,” he said. “It’s something that’s a lot deeper than us and our generation, because it goes back to African slaves. In our times, it’s a music of celebration.”
Grupo Fantasma brings that festive spirit to every venue they play. “We’re a dance band — if I went and saw a band with more than eight people, there better be dancing,” he said.
Grupo Fantasma never lets up, and it seems as though their momentum will keep them in the music scene for some time to come. The open musical environment of Austin, Texas, has cultivated a band which makes a statement each time it performs. The band continues to hold other jobs — some teach, others play with other bands in Austin — but it is all to supplement Grupo Fantasma’s work. Each time they play, rhythm and melody align in a single groove in which dancers can lose themselves.
And with the release of Movimiento Popular, a four-week tour, and a growing name in the entertainment world, Grupo Fantasma shows no signs of leaving the dance any time soon.