Dubbed "one of the all-time great Texas dance bands" by Pop Culture Press, the 11-man Latin music Juggernaut known as Grupo Fantasma is considered by many to be the most exciting group to emerge from the formidable Austin, Texas music scene in the last couple of years.
Grupo Fantasma is the closest thing you'll hear to the classic Fania All-Stars live recordings from the mid-1970s, which still represent the definition of elegant, yet, incendiary funk. Fantasmas' dominating live show features powerhouse horn and rhythm sections, blistering lead guitars and captivating vocals all wrapped in an air-tight James Brown groove.
Their recent association with Prince hasn't hurt them either. Performing at his club in Las Vegas, his Golden Globes after-party (with Mary J. Blige, Mark Anthony and Will I Am of the Black Eyed Peas) and at the CBS Super Bowl party in Miami Beach, has only enhanced the band's wicked cool factor.
"The best band in Austin. The only other band I've seen get that kind of audience reaction was the Ramones."
- Jim Caligiuri The Austin Chronicle
It really doesn't get much better than this, as far as I'm concerned. To my ears, Grupo Fantasma is the closest thing you'll hear these days to the classic Fania All-Stars live recordings from the mid-1970s...
- Afrofunk Music Forum
Grupo Fantasma offers up a percussion-driven groove along post-World War II Latin music's path to and through the United States, drawing on influences like Dizzy Gillespie's Afro-Cuban jazz, Tito Puente's big band magic, and Carlos Santana's Latin rock fusion
- The Bulletin
Set list varies according to venue and show length. Consists of original material but the occasional covers include classic cumbias and can feature unpredictable segments of songs by WEEN and others.