"once was an eagle now is a bee"
Canta by L.A.'s wonderfully embracing Amo Amo is full of world rhythms and external hippie manifestos whether overt or not. The vibe is funky, soulful, new wave-esque, psychedelic and vocalists Omar and Love deliver inspiring croons. Love at the forefront on Canta has a beautiful powerful lilt and, dare I say, made me think of Kate Bush in some odd way, that is, if Kate smoked a lot of herb (I may be joking). In any event, the absolute feeling, vibe here is so incredibly earthy, worldly and so very much needed. I think as we sit in our own isolation we cannot wait to be communal. There is after all no Grateful Dead anymore for the bohemians in all of us to enjoy. We have Dr. Dog (maybe) but I see Amo Amo as one of those all inclusive musical entities.
See the origin story below as I do not want to mess with perfection:
Amo Amo formed in June 2017 when a group of dear friends - the aforementioned Omar and Love, along with Justin, Shane and Alex - got together for an impromptu session in Los Angeles with Jim James (My Morning Jacket). There had been a premonition that the five of them shared a sort of psychic bond that would lead to a revelation in sound. James proved the right ferryman to take them across the creative river to where the revelatory, mystic moment awaited. And now, they too invite us to the other side of The River.
The ferry is a party yacht. Into the mystic. - press notes
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:
Why must mysticism be considered such a solitary practice — a spiritual union gained only through a single person’s transcendence? Why can’t mysticism happen en masse — some Big, Pop-Mysticism? Only with music has humankind been able to achieve this sort of communion. From the festival to the club to the drum circle, it’s the only place where a modern person can shed the human skin — all our worries, differences and debts give in to the beat, to the moment. It’s almost as if the music of Los Angeles' Amo Amo’s sole intent is to GET US THERE. Their instantly gratifying, euphoric compositions seem laser-focused on bringing a mess of humans into a space and getting them to move together like a single, pulsating organism.
The human fingerprint of funk swirls within Icy, Balearic synths that melt under South American rhythms while West African guitars wander the desert to find Burning Man in full effect. Then, there are the timeless vocal melodies shared here by vocalists Omar and Love. The writer whose simple, but unforgettable melodies come to mind is none other than Robert Nesta Marley. A bold statement, maybe, but you’ll see. Look no further than the instructive, immediate “Antidote” for proof of Amo Amo’s undeniable power to get the party started. “Move. Love. Dance More” goes the chorus call to action over the song’s pulsing space-funk. The inspired choice to lock the male and female vocals lends a non-binary quality, something more universal and inviting — the way the Grateful Dead (see also: the song’s Garcia- esque solo) left room enough for everyone.
Amo Amo formed in June 2017 when a group of dear friends - the aforementioned Omar and Love, along with Justin, Shane and Alex - got together for an impromptu session in Los Angeles with Jim James (My Morning Jacket). There had been a premonition that the five of them shared a sort of psychic bond that would lead to a revelation in sound. James proved the right ferryman to take them across the creative river to where the revelatory, mystic moment awaited. And now, they too invite us to the other side of The River.
The ferry is a party yacht. Into the mystic.
The human fingerprint of funk swirls within Icy, Balearic synths that melt under South American rhythms while West African guitars wander the desert to find Burning Man in full effect. Then, there are the timeless vocal melodies shared here by vocalists Omar and Love. The writer whose simple, but unforgettable melodies come to mind is none other than Robert Nesta Marley. A bold statement, maybe, but you’ll see. Look no further than the instructive, immediate “Antidote” for proof of Amo Amo’s undeniable power to get the party started. “Move. Love. Dance More” goes the chorus call to action over the song’s pulsing space-funk. The inspired choice to lock the male and female vocals lends a non-binary quality, something more universal and inviting — the way the Grateful Dead (see also: the song’s Garcia- esque solo) left room enough for everyone.
Amo Amo formed in June 2017 when a group of dear friends - the aforementioned Omar and Love, along with Justin, Shane and Alex - got together for an impromptu session in Los Angeles with Jim James (My Morning Jacket). There had been a premonition that the five of them shared a sort of psychic bond that would lead to a revelation in sound. James proved the right ferryman to take them across the creative river to where the revelatory, mystic moment awaited. And now, they too invite us to the other side of The River.
The ferry is a party yacht. Into the mystic.
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