The Achromatics

The Achromatics are a nine-member band from Toronto. They have been working hard to discover their own twist on today’s pop genre and have been said to have a mix of R&B, blues, soul, pop, tasty funk, jazz and Latin/world styles in their songs. The Achromatics have recently received a nomination for the Toronto Independent Music Awards in the Best World category. It is the band’s mission to create music that speaks to every listener and is accessible.

The Achromatics have released their first full-length album Give Me The Beat on November 24th, featuring ten tracks.

The album starts off strong with a very upbeat sound. The song that first caught my attention was “Dangerous.” It’s the second song on the album and starts off slow but quickly speeds up. This song had an interesting mix of sounds from different instruments and gave it the feel of being in a new location when listening to it. I loved that this song had me wanting to get up and dance.

The other song that captured my interest was “Alien from a strange location”, which is the fifth song on the album. The song is very catchy with its different chords and sounds mixing together to give it a completely different vibe. I played this song over and over, each time catching new things loving it more after each listen. This is my favourite song from the album and will be adding it to playlist to enjoy for a long time.

Give Me The Beat showcases The Achromatics love and dedication to their own music. Overall, the album was very well put together and had me hooked all the way through. I have really enjoyed listening to this album. If you are looking for something new to listen to, give The Achromatics a shot! - Canadian Beats

The Achromatics: Music to be appreciated by the mind and body.

The Achromatics are a nine-person superband creating a new sensation in music - driven by soulful melody, Latin rhythm, and ferocious showmanship. They have been dazzling audiences throughout Ontario and now the rest of Canada and hopefully the world.

There is nothing more refreshing than catchy pop hooks performed with Motown-style vocals, dance-able Latin rhythms, and a ferocious horn section. Something you truly want to experience live more than anything else, and then relive it countlessly at home, listening to their album on repeat as you let go of all your worries and swing side to side until your hips give out.

What are you waiting for? Click play below and experience it for the first time: - IX Daily

Big and bold horns are served on this dance-fested release by Jay Vazquez/g, Shannon Graham/ts, Chelsea McBride/wwinds, Kathryn Scobie/tb, Megan Jutting/tp-fl, Reuven Grajner/p, Matt DeLuca/b, Aaron Spink/dr and Robert Joshua Molina/perc. Along with the middleweight punch of the horns, just about everyone sings, and Vazquez’s guitar sears on “Dangerous Game” and ”Chameleon.” The band goes a bit Cajun on “Alien From A Strange Nation” and the salsa is picante on “ Lover’s Prayer.” They take you to Funky Town on “Let It Play” and the soulful “Waiting On You.” Lots of dance moves on this one. - Jazz Weekly

Think Earth, Wind and Fire meets Enrique Iglesias, The Supremes meet Carlos Santana, and you have Toronto band The Achromatics.

On their debut album, being released tonight at Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas St. W.) They move effortlessly between R&B, Blues, Soul, Pop, tasty Funk, Jazz and Latin/world styles, all the while dazzling audiences at festivals and venues throughout Ontario. The group, which recently received a nomination for a Toronto Independent Music Award for the Best World category, transmits sound and experience without distinguishing between genres. A truly Canadian band, it’s their mission to create good music that is accessible to everyone.

Give Me that Beat definitely accomplishes that. It opens up with “Let it Play,” a big, bold and brassy tune, as befits an anthem of personal freedom and self-confidence. A perfect mash-up of Latin Jazz horns/rhythms/backing vocals in one section, with fuzz-guitar Funk and James Brown-style lead vocals (by band leader Jay Vazquez) in another, and anchored by an outstanding sax break.

From soft congas and mellow acoustic Flamenco-guitar opening touches, to a captivating horn chart, “Dangerous Game” – A song about how we all love playing with fire —even if we get burned— has it all, leading into an almost cumbia-like chorus, complete with melodica. It features an insanely funky break, building up from drums to add bass, piano, two different but simultaneous horn lines, then exploding with electric lead guitar and a louder, higher horn.

The Achromatics 2 -COURTESY
The Achromatics -COURTESY

The title track provides lease-breaking party music to make you get up, dance, and release your inhibitions. Sung by Shannon Graham, this is one that would go great on a playlist next to Stevie Wonder or Jamiroquai, with disco drums, propulsive bass, and punchy brass to keep your feet on the go. If you want to Salsa dance, “Alien From A Strange Nation” is the one for you, with a lyrical reminder that we’re all foreigners or immigrants in some way. It highlights pure Latin Jazz, as befits the title.

“Chameleon” rolls from a sweet opening guitar-scratch into an overpowering, sweeping set of horns, and back down to the quiet verse, again sung by Graham. Soulful vocals and sweet harmonies in the explosive chorus, carry this song about the power to change, whether it’s your clothes —or yourself!

Propelled by a sweet Fender Rhodes electric piano, and a bluesy B.B. King-styled electric guitar, “Lover’s Prayer” is a passionate ballad about how no matter how in love we are, we’re still afraid of pain and disillusion. The sweetness of the gorgeous harmonies in the melodic chorus offset the sadness crying out in the verses.

The song “I Need You” features a synthesizer in the intro and is Latin Pop that Shakira could cover with pride, as is “Waiting On You,” which showcases another perfect bridge between Pop choruses and funky verses.

A unique addition to the album, “Moctezuma” opens with tribal rhythms and Aztec flutes, then shifts into a funky conga/bass/Fender Rhodes workout, and provides the album’s only synthesizer solo. The song offers a look into Moctezuma II’s heart as he learns that the first conquistadors are heading to his kingdom of Tenochtitlan.

SUBSCRIBE!
SUBSCRIBE!

Alternating English and Spanish verses, the final track “Wake Up” urges listeners not to live their waking lives asleep – to engage in life to the fullest, share love, and dance. The song demonstrates letter-perfect Latin Pop, full of sweet harmonies, propulsive horns, percolating beats, passionate vocals, a Flamenco acoustic guitar solo, and a wild flute. A great way to leave the listener on a positive note.

The Achromatics are: Jay Vazquez on guitar, vocals; Shannon Graham on tenor sax, vocals; Chelsea McBride on baritone sax, alto sax, flute, vocals; Kathryn Scobie on trombone, vocals; Megan Jutting on trumpet; Matt De Luca on bass; Reuven Grajner on keys, melodica, vocals; Aaron Spink on drums; and Josh Molina on congas and bongos. - Toronto Moon

The Achromatics’ album ‘Give Me That Beat’ drops Nov. 24th but you can get a sneak peek right here. And what a peek it is, with a slinky modern soul pop tune laced with spicy, funky latin flavours. That is until midway though when things go all-world in a cacophony of glorious sounds. - Ride the Tempo