The world is lacking many Motown inspired bands that are full of soul and character.  With bands like Thee Sacred Souls and Leon Bridges manning the lantern, The Altons are here to help fill that void, originating from Southeast LA and being grossly submerged in the growing soul scene.  From the sticky floors in local nightclubs to the lights of major festivals The Altons have risen through the ranks.   The band consists of Adriana Flores and Bryan Ponce (vocals), Caitlin Moss (rhythm) and Chris Manjarrez (bass).   Speaking about the creative process, Ponce stated, “This whole album was a new experience for us, from the way we approach songwriting to how we recorded the music.”

Has the soul revolution come to play?

Cymbals vibrate before the bass drum strolls in on ‘Waiting’. The harmonization between both vocalists is ethereal which seems like it will happen throughout. What seems to be a xylophone occurs at the end which is peculiar but welcomed.

Feeling of the honeymoon period and inevitable demise of a relationship is embedded in ‘Tangled in Blue’.  The hollowness of the drums conveys a temporariness of the situation whilst both vocalists quarrel but make it seem elegant. The bass is the only consistent support throughout.

The transition into ‘I Try I Try’ using the lyric ‘With You’ is otherworldly.  A more positive outlook on a relationship is created. The drums emit a swagger which the bassline copies and outdoes. The keyboard and guitar are a welcomed addition taking an entrée to a full-on meal.

‘Perdroname’ adds a Latin twist to the soul genre. With the drums sounding straight out of ‘Whiplash’ but without Terence Fletcher’s distain. My Spanish GCSE doesn’t come that handy yet love radiates from each word.

From the beginning of ‘Float’, the drums are reminiscent of Otis Redding’s ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’. Both vocalists create a spiritual experience for the listener and wouldn’t be out of place in a Sixties Bond Film. The guitar riff is powerful yet elegant whilst the outro is haunting with the keyboard acting like the difference between heaven (vocals) and purgatory (outro).

A mostly acapella start on ‘Where Did She Go’ shows both Flores and Ponce in all their glory. Before the rhythm section keeps a steady background with the keyboard used to fill the space. The longing and desire for another seeps out with the sadness of the vocalists radiating through.

‘Del Cielo Te Cuido’ brings back the Latin influence but is fuller on. With the guitar sounding straight from Sabicas’ fingers and wouldn’t be out of place on ‘Narcos’. Halfway through the soul and swagger returns to the sound we’re used to.

‘Your Light’ is a Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell esque duet. The harmonies are immaculate not allowing any instrument to overpower them. The drums and bass are very simplistic, but does exactly what’s needed not overdoing it like many would. The guitar spreads its wisdom.

Groovy-ness is the desire of ‘Over and Over’ and groovy-ness is the outcome. The sound is rich like Phil Spector is on the mixing desk. Ponce shows his powerful and velvet vocals whilst Flores adds beautiful backing vocals with no urge to outdo.

‘Show You Love’ uses the guitar riff as a prominent figure which the vocals dance around starting out basic and raw. Little by little other elements come in before the orchestra causes an explosion which is rich and vibrant. A perfect ending to an album.

‘Heartache In Room 14’ does indeed bring soul back. That sixties Motown sound that everyone craves is created, even the album cover screams it. Each member of The Altons is an expert in creating moods. As a listener, all you want to do is dance along. The rhythm section is full of colour both Manjarrez and Moss showing themselves as virtuosos and could be a session musician on any Ronettes album. It’s not often you get a band who use two vocalists that work so well together creating euphoria to the ear of the listener. Ponce and Flores’ vocals create the feeling of a warm hug.  As Martin Luther said, “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul.” This album certainly does.  An essential listen!

The Altons: Heartache in Room 14 – Out 14 February 2025 (Daptone Records)

Altons “Waiting” (Official Music Video)