By mid-March, it's only natural for many Adelaideans to feel the post-Womad blues, with the heavy anticipation of having to wait a whole year for such a linguistically and musically diverse event to return once again. But they need not despair. Adelaide's live music scene is as diverse and multi-layered as ever. For those curious enough to search, there are rich rewards of local talent waiting to be discovered. Such is the case with Ormeega, a four-piece ensemble blending Latin rhythms and melodic grooves with a distinct blues-infused rock sound.
"Dangerous Town" marks the band's Fringe debut with an official line-up and venue. Nexus Arts provides an intimate stage and excellent acoustics to showcase what they do best. Drawing upon influences from multiple musical styles, they incorporate lavish samples of ska, reggae, blues, and hard rock. The playlist is almost entirely sung in Spanish, but language barriers hardly matter with rhythms this good. Ormeega imbues their sound with a worldliness and technical skill that effortlessly creates a harmonious and groovy vibe with the right dash of heaviness in the big rock numbers. Think "Queens of the Stone Age" meets "The Cat Empire" with the classic discipline of Segovia to round out the experience.
Juan Munoz serves as the anchoring point of the band with his signature lead guitar and husky vocals. A maestro on the strings, he embodies the figure of a troubadour as he deftly plays across a range of electric and acoustic guitars. Like a modern-day Carlos Santana, you'll be amazed at how skilfully he can switch from distorted slides and sustained notes to down-tempo acoustic ballads. Every song benefits from his strong songwriting as he draws upon his Colombian roots and life experiences. Local fans will know him from his live performances around Adelaide and his work with Latitude 0°, and he's in top form here from start to finish.
It's a night of beginnings and endings for Ormeega. This night marked the debut of their secondary vocalist, Gimena, hailing from Argentina. Her soulful melodies and crooning complement Juan's more rugged voice perfectly, and their acoustic numbers together are spectacular. Meanwhile, it is the final performance for their drummer, Jhon, who marks his last show with his resounding percussion and a beautiful solo featuring a steel tongue drum. Bassist Thomas rounds out the group with his strong harmonization and tonal control. For the final two songs, surprise guest Nelcy Porras joins in on vocals, giving the finale a touch of traditional "cumbia." There's terrific chemistry between the band, and it's clear their collaboration is one of collective vision and love for their art.
It would not be surprising to see Ormeega rise in popularity and recognition for their unique and dynamic approach to Latin music and their fabulous live performances. "Dangerous Town" is a rich tapestry of storytelling and cultural identity infused with an hour of foot-tapping funk and electrifying rock. Fresh and propulsive, Ormeega is a must-see for local live music aficionados.
***** Five Stars