LosOtros, LosOtros (Independent)

Los Otros, album cover, OffBeat Magazine, May 2014

Although there aren’t enough Latin or Brazilian bands in New Orleans given the geographical and cultural similarities between the genres of music, the ones that are here are top notch.

One of the most top notch is LosOtros, whose new recording has much to recommend it. It has a great group of players who are well practiced in these grooves, and it shows. Bassist Sam Price, drummer Alex Joseph Hall, and Conga Mike are excellent at digging in on different tempos and styles, whether on the busy opening cover of “Besame Mucho” or the lighter touch of “VooAve” (with special guest Curtis Pierre on Brazilian percussion that sounds like a talking drum).

The rhythm section’s versatility gives this recording a variety that keeps things from getting repetitive. Guitarists Billy Franklin and Todd Duke as well as horn-men Ray Moore (who doubles on flute), Brent Rose, and Martin Krusche all contribute fine playing with melodic solos with beautiful tone throughout the record.

Vocalist Christina Friis has a light and agile voice that does well on intricate, saxophone-like solos and wordless vocals, but there are a couple moments where her voice doesn’t quite land on the notes in some of the more difficult passages. However, she navigates the tricky rhythms of “One Note Samba” with a lithe ease that is fun to hear. Such fun extends across the whole record, which saves any down-type ballads to the very end with a worthy cover of Jobim’s “How Insensative.” Friis here makes this more of a torch song that other versions, but eschews the melodrama.

What makes this version even more interesting is the processed Fender Rhodes and dirty, distorted beats that give a very modern touch to this classic song.

LosOtros play Jazz Fest on Sunday, April 27—Lagniappe Stage, 2:30 p.m..