Music
"Groove Tantra is a very likable septet that plays accessible and melodic music that grooves. The group is comprised of Loran Cox on flugelhorn and trumpet, keyboardist Abel Pabon, pianist Lawrence Ross, guitarist Michel Gonzalez, bassist Raymond Love, drummer Willie Sells, Jr, and Edwin Torres on Latin percussion. Tantra means to weave. The word fits the group’s sound since they weave together several different styles of music, with their brand of jazz also utilizing aspects of r&b and Latin music.
Their recent eight-song collection is filled with strong melodies, consistently warm and concise trumpet/flugelhorn solos, colorful playing from keyboardist Pabon, and a tight but loose feel from the rhythm section. All but one of the songs is an original by Cox, three of which were co-written with Pabon.
The opener, “Juégalo,” has the rhythm section establishing a Latin groove, Cox’s flugelhorn lead being a bit reminiscent of Chuck Mangione, and a joyful feeling being set. The ballad “Even Now,” which is worthy of Bob James, has a brief but effective tradeoff between keyboards and flugelhorn. “A Thousand Words” is a bit catchy and conversational in its relaxed phrasing.
“Yo No Se Manana” is a nice soulful tune with warm flugelhorn and a very singable melody. “Free At Last” has a concise trumpet solo that works quite well in conveying the feeling of the piece. One of the most intriguing numbers on the set, “Always Know,” alternates between two different but complementary themes and gets a bit funky in spots.
“Sketches In Silk” is highlighted by one of the best flugelhorn solos of the set, leading to the spirited closer “Follow Your Heart” which has a determined feel that fits its title.
Throughout their release, Groove Tantra performs music that is very easy to enjoy and is easily recommended to those who enjoy danceable yet subtle jazz and captivating grooves."
—Scott Yanow, Jazz Historian and Journalist L.A. Jazz Scene
"Music exists to say things that words cannot say." - Tous Las Matins Du Monde
Album "Groove Tantra"
Producers: Loran Daniel Cox & Raymond Trinondus Love | One Tower BMI
Juégalo
Composer: Loran Daniel Cox & Abel R Pabon | One Tower BMI
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Engineer: Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Notes: Debut Single by Groove Tantra
Even Now
Composer: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Engineer: Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Publishing: One Tower BMI
A Thousand Words
Composer: Loran Daniel Cox & Abel R Pabon | One Tower BMI
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Engineer: Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Yo No Se Mañana
Composer: Jorge Luis Piloto & Jorge Villamizar | ASCAP
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Engineer: Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Free at Last
Composer: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Engineer: Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Notes: Bass solo by legendary musician Eddie "Gua Gua" Rivera
Always Know
Composer: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI & Mark Douglas Maxwell | ASCAP
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Engineer: Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Publishing: One Tower BMI | One Tower ASCAP
Notes: Dedicated to blessings in my life that I adore...Gianna & Kiara
Sketches in Silk
Composer: Loran Daniel Cox & Abel R Pabon | One Tower BMI
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Engineer: Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Follow Your Heart
Composer: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Engineer: Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Notes: Dedicated to Mom & Dad...always an inspiration for my music