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
--- Worldwide Release March 8, 2022 ---
Fantasy (SINGLE)
Composers: Eduardo del Barrio, Maurice White & Verdine White
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Producer: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Engineer: Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Musicians:
Loran Cox | trumpet
John Michalak | alto & tenor saxophone
Steve Sigmund | trombone
Martin Bejerano | piano & keyboards
Michel Gonzalez | guitars
Raymond Love | bass
Edwin Torres | latin percussion
Willie Sells, Jr. | drums
"Fantasy" is Groove Tantra's explosive high-energy interpretation of the Earth, Wind & Fire classic. "Fantasy" showcases stellar performances by leading sidemen in the music industry. Earth, Wind and Fire fans will celebrate this innovative arrangement and recording of "Fantasy" by Groove Tantra.
--- Coming Summer 2022 ---
She is Michelle (SINGLE)
Composer: Gato Barbieri
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Producer: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Engineer (tracking):: Rudy Perez | Sound Design (Miami, FL)
Engineer (mixing): Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Musicians:
Loran Cox | flugelhorn
John Michalak | tenor saxophone
Steve Sigmund | trombone
Abel Pabon | piano & keyboards
Manny Lopez | guitar solo
Peter Parente | rhythm guitar
Gaby Vivas | bass
Edwin Torres | latin percussion
XXX
The Cat from Caracas (SINGLE)
Composer: Dan Haerle | Sierra Music Publications
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Producers: Loran Daniel Cox & Raymond Trinondus Love | One Tower BMI
Engineer: Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Musicians:
Loran Cox | flugelhorn
Abel Pabon | keyboards
Lawrence Ross | piano
Raymond Love | bass
Edwin Torres | latin percussion
Willie Sells, Jr. | drums
--- Album ---
"Groove Tantra"
Producers: Loran Daniel Cox & Raymond Trinondus Love | One Tower BMI
Engineer: Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Musicians:
Loran Cox | flugelhorn & trumpet
Abel Pabon | keyboards
Lawrence Ross | piano
Michel Gonzalez | guitars
Raymond Love | bass
Edwin Torres | latin percussion
Willie Sells, Jr. | drums
Juégalo
Composers: Loran Daniel Cox & Abel R Pabon | One Tower BMI
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
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
Publishing: One Tower BMI
A Thousand Words
Composers: Loran Daniel Cox & Abel R Pabon | One Tower BMI
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Yo No Se Mañana
Composers: Jorge Luis Piloto & Jorge Villamizar | ASCAP
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Free at Last
Composer: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Notes: Bass solo by legendary musician Eddie "Gua Gua" Rivera
Always Know
Composers: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI & Mark Douglas Maxwell | ASCAP
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Publishing: One Tower BMI | One Tower ASCAP
Notes: Dedicated to blessings in my life...Gianna & Kiara
Sketches in Silk
Composers: Loran Daniel Cox & Abel R Pabon | One Tower BMI
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Follow Your Heart
Composer: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Notes: Dedicated to Mom & Dad...always an inspiration for my music
--- Debut ---
XXX
Juégalo
Composers: Loran Daniel Cox & Abel R Pabon | One Tower BMI
Arranger: Loran Daniel Cox | One Tower BMI
Publishing: One Tower BMI
Producers: Loran Daniel Cox & Raymond Trinondus Love | One Tower BMI
Engineer: Chris Grimsley | Sideline Records (Phoenix, AZ)
Mastering: Peter Doell | AfterMaster (Hollywood, CA)
Musicians:
Loran Cox | flugelhorn & trumpet
Abel Pabon | keyboards
Lawrence Ross | piano
Michel Gonzalez | guitars
Raymond Love | bass
Edwin Torres | latin percussion
Willie Sells, Jr. | drums
"The artist will move future generations when the
bones of kings have long since mouldered away."
—Franz Alexander von Kleist Dresden 1792