Lucas de Mulder – Feel the Spirit (Color Red, 2023)
“Feel the Spirit” is Lucas de Mulder’s deeply satisfying first album as a bandleader, released by the Denver-based Color Red label. Lucas de Mulder is a talented guitar player and composer from Spain. He started his musical career in Madrid, playing with different bands in the soul, jazz and funk music scene. He quickly found his sound, influenced by guitar players like Grant Green, Boogaloo Joe Jones, and Eddie Roberts.
On “Feel the Spirit,” Lucas De Mulder delivers a superb mix of deep funk, jazz, fusion, and soul guitar work. Produced by Eddie Roberts, bandleader and guitarist of the international funk group, The New Mastersounds, the album is a direct tribute to Grant Green’s iconic 1962 record ‘Feelin’ the Spirit.’ De Mulder and Roberts connected while Roberts’ all-star soul project Matador! Soul Sounds was touring through Spain and the two found themselves at a jam session at The Intruso Bar where Roberts immediately recognized their shared influences, style of playing and acute influence from Grant Green.
A few weeks later, De Mulder sent Roberts a demo and was immediately invited to record a record at Roberts’ Color Red Studios in Denver, Colorado. The sessions featured fellow members of The New Mastersounds Joe Tatton (keyboards) and Simon Allen (drums) as well as Nate Edgar (bass) of The Nth Power. The joyful, imaginative spirit of Grant Green’s playing is kept alive in a new generation through De Mulder’s beyond-his-years wisdom and thoughtful navigation on his instrument.
In addition to his solo work, Lucas De Mulder also performs with Beat Bronco Organ Trio (Rocafort Records); Maria Yfeu; Bambikina; Mighty Vamp (Sweet Records); Sabrosa (Beastie Boys Instrumental Music); and collaborates with Chip Wickham (Lovemonk); Martha High (James Brown backing vocals) and Lucky Brown (Tramp Records), among others. In addition, he’s part of the Acid Jam that takes place in El Intruso Bar, every Tuesday in Madrid since 2015. Additionally, he is also a teacher, with ten years experience teaching for both kids and adults in different schools and music schools in Madrid, as well as music conservatories. Currently, he is offering a specialized course for intermediate guitar players looking to further their knowledge and practice of the soul/jazz and funk music style.
Musicians: Lucas de Mulder on electric guitar; Alejandro Castaño on drums; Joe Tatton on electric organ; Nate Edgar on electric bass; Gabe Mervine on trumpet; Simon Allen on drums; Chris Spies on electric organ, synthesizer; and Jeremy Salken on drums.
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Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.