Sister Mantos - UNK (2013)

With bi-lingual lyrics, latin rhythms and a deep affection for the funky pop of Rick James, Teena Marie, Talking Heads and Brian Eno, Sister Mantos's UNK brings an international and infectious funky, pop, tropical and disco groove to your feet and soul!

It took three years of blood, sweat, and tears to bring the tropi-punk-funk sounds of Sister Mantos to the world. The new self released album, available for download in November 2013, features 7 new songs and will be released concurrently with a collection of remixes and videos (for more on remixes and videos check out sistermantos dot com). Breaking away from the ambient, experimental sounds of their first album, Tough Love or the Fands of Hate, singer bassist, and composer Oscar Santos combines influences of cumbia and latin rhythms with a deep affection for the funky pop of Rick James, Teena Marie, Talking Heads and Brian Eno on the new UNK. Recorded over a span of three years, in a home studio, various living rooms, an old house in Washington state, and 'The Stove' studio in Los Angeles the album is an exquisite sonic collage. At no point in the recording where there two musicians playing at once yet through meticulous mixing a live sound is kept intact. Featuring over twenty Los Angeles musicians, such as long time Smell player Allen Bleyle on guitar and drums to Latin percussionist and drummer for the Beastie Boys Fredo Ortiz, this collaborative effort is indicative of Santos’ community vibe and nod to the various music circles he runs with. With vocals sung in English and Spanish, UNK brings an international and infectious funky, pop, tropical and disco groove to the dance floor.