GRUPO PAGAN featuring EDGAR PAGAN

POWER

Subcat Records

Genre bending group, Grupo Pagan, has been performing together for over twenty years. Theirs is a high energy blend of Latin and rock music, with jazz sprinkled throughout like spice in the musical stew. Edgar Pagan’s unique lead vocals create a sound that belongs only to Grupo Pagan.  His vocals hypnotize and give the group their signature sound. This album was produced by 4-time GRAMMY winner, Jimmy Haslip.

“As a producer Jimmy was perfect, as we found him to be very connected with our vibe and desire to meld world-sounds and rhythms to create and deliver fresh, positive, energetic, and inspiring music,” Edgar Pagan praised their album producer.

From the very first blast of rhythm, harmony and energy on the opening title song, “Power,” I became a fan of this group.  No wonder they have shared world stages with Spyro Gyra, Tela Fleck, Wayne Newton, The Average White Band, Tom Scott, Ambrosia, Earl Slick, Stanley Turrentine and Charo, to list just a few.  They bring the “Power” and tenaciousness of a group that is talented and original.

Their infectious song with powerful lyrics, “Human” quickly becomes one of my favorites on this spirited and exciting production.  Another one of my favorites is “Tito (Remix).” It’s another Edgar Pagan original composition.  Not only can he sing and compose, he is a multi-instrumentalist who plays bass, guitar and cajon.

I was fascinated by the diversity of his compositions.  A song he calls “Oye Ese Ritmo” that translates to “Hey, that Rhythm” should get lots of airplay. This song has a laid-back groove, whose rhythm immediately makes me want to jump up and dance.  Pagan’s hypnotic voice sings, “dark is the night, let’s make it right, show me the light, loves in the air.  Let the music move you.  Let’s dance!”

Grupo Pagán offers an album of original music that encompasses funk, blues, jazz, African and Latin rhythms, world music flavor and the unique lead vocals of composer and bassist, Edgar Pagan.  The talent of each member of this group will both captivate and entertain.  They offer timely insights into today’s society, wrapped in hum-along melodies with percussive excitement.

The GRUPO PAGAN ensemble includes: Edgar Pagan, bass/lead vocals/composer/percussion; Jimmy Haslip, additional bass/keyboards/cuatro/percussion/background vocals/producer; Rhonda Paduano, backing vocals/percussion; Bill DiCosimo, keyboards; Jose Varona, drums/backing vocals; Emedin Rivera & Joshua Dekaney, drums/ percussion; David Donley, Jimmy Branly, & Luis Conte, percussion; Este, hand drums/chants; Jim O’Mahony, Jeff Richman, & Adam Fisher, guitar; Irv Lyons Jr., guitars/backing vocals; Joe Driscoll, rap/beatbox; Shane Patterson, drums/percussion program; Daniel Pardo, flute; Melissa Gardener, horns; Jack Brown, vocals.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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