(PR) The Salvador Santana Band (SSB), featuring bandleader, vocalist, composer & keyboardist Salvador Santana, is set to release its debut full-length album SSB on February 26. The musically and lyrically charged disc, for which Salvador Santana also served as Album Producer, comes out on the artist's VBE imprint with distribution through Tsunami Label Group. From the bracing rhythms of the opening track "Oh Yea Yeah" through "Why Yo," a politically-skewed dancehall track featuring Asdru Sierra of Ozomatli on lead vocal and trumpet, SSB pulses with a fresh, high-spirited sonic fusion of conscious hip-hop, rock, funk, R&B and Latin sounds.Leading with innovation and seamless interplay, the Salvador Santana Band make an original and confident debut with SSB. Other stand-outs include the irrepressible "Summer's Day," co-written and produced by DJ Nu-Mark (Jurassic 5) and the slinky "Imacallya," co-written by Ryan Tedder of One Republic. Another collaboration, the bravura "Me & U," features a searing guitar solo from Salvador's father, legendary musician Carlos Santana (it was co-written by SSB and Andy Vargas of the Santana Band). Highlights also include the beat-heavy and wordplay dense "Hella Tight," the sultry flow of "In My Dreams" and the group's hot, funky cover of "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)."
Throughout the tight 13-song set, Salvador Santana's deft rap poetics complement the soulful intonations of fellow vocalist Quincy McCrary (formerly of Quetzal and Burning Star). The Salvador Santana Band's current line-up also features: bassist Emerson Cardenas (who's been with the group since its formation), guitarist Woody Aplanalp (Lauryn Hill, Nels Cline, Thomas Mapfumo, etc.), drummer Tony Austin (who also sits in with soul legend Solomon Burke) and ex-Ozomatli multi-instrumentalist Jose "Crunchy" Espinosa.
The Salvador Santana Band will be touring in support of their debut album SSB beginning with a date in Santa Cruz, CA on February 28. Upcoming festival performances include SXSW in Austin, TX and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
February 28 Moe's Alley Santa Cruz, CA
February 29 Little Fox Redwood City, CA
March 17 Take It El Paso, TX
March 19 Launch Pad Albuquerque, NM
March 20 Santa Fe Brewing Company Santa Fe, NM
March 21 The Summit Durango, CO
March 22 Fly Me To The Moon Telluride, CO
March 25 Sherpa & Yeti's Breckenridge, CO
March 26 Mesa Theater Grand Junction, CO
March 27 The Calypso Crested Butte, CO
March 28 Belly Up Aspen, CO
March 29 Cervante's Masterpiece Denver, CO
April 1 Aggie Theatre Ft. Collins, CO
April 2 Samana Lounge Vail, CO
April 3 Trilogy Wine Bar Boulder, CO