Abstract Citizen, La Lucha: Perfect Pairing at The Far Forest

Abstract Citizen, La Lucha: Perfect Pairing at The Far Forest

Thirty music fans. A dozen great songs. Eight fabulous musicians. Two bands. One amazing venue. And one spectacular night of music.

That’s the short version of Wednesday’s mashup of Abstract Citizen from Miami and Tampa’s La Lucha (April 10). It would be difficult to imagine a more perfect pairing of two groups. This program is part of a series presented by Kelli-Ann Garno and Anna Giancola of The Far Forest; they call it Forest Sounds. You can find them on YouTube. Enter Far Forest Sounds. These videos will be added once edited. Also important to note that sound engineer Carlos Reyes had everyone dialed in perfectly all night long.

The gentlemen of La Lucha play regularly in the area and also with other musicians and groups, and with good reason. They are titans. Truly. They have been vitalizing the Bay area scene for more than 15 years with fine original material, jazz standards, and reinvented pop tunes, some with vocalists.

They opened their all-too-brief set with “Por La Tarde,” a tune from their excellent 2020 album Everybody Wants to Rule the World. John O’Leary’s work on piano was superb. Next drummer Mark Feinman told us they were going to play a song by a “little-known” British group, The Beatles (I think that’s how he phrased it). What poured out was a brilliant if almost unrecognizable version of “Golden Slumbers” (that is NOT a criticism), Feinman with great flourishes and accents. As the song wound down, Alejandro Arenas had a wonderful upright bass interlude that melted into “Wichita Lineman,” lovingly rendered.

La Lucha have a new album due for release April 30 full of covers of pop songs from the ’80s and ’90s, many featuring singers. Some of these songs have already appeared on YouTube, such as “Raspberry Beret” featuring Songbird Shella. Shella was at the show and joined the trio for a great jazz rendering of the Prince tune.

The trio closed their set with two more tracks from Everybody Wants to Rule the World, the bouncy party-like “Otra Vez” and “The Sundering.” O’Leary, Arenas, and Feinman were simple superb closing out this wonderful set.

[LA LUCHA: Por La Tarde, Golden Slumbers > bass interlude > Wichita Lineman, Raspberry Beret, Otra Vez, The Sundering]

After a brief 15-minute set change, Abstract Citizen were ready for the second half of the show. Guitarist Aaron Lebos had played at The Far Forest in February with another of his projects, Anemoia. This time he was in company with a remarkable jazz quartet featuring amazing vocalist Justine Garcia and the dynamic rhythm section of Marty Quinn (upright bass) and Brahm Masla (drums).

Song after song, brilliant guitar, soaring vocals, and rock-solid playing from the rhythm section filled the room with pure magic. They opened with “Ukes Not Nukes,” a band original, followed by “Soul of a Nation,” one of the songs from their self-titled 2023 EP. Garcia created the lyrics to match Lebos’ compositions, absolutely wonderful. Next was a true set favorite every time they play it: “Maria Lando.” Lebos describes it as an Afro-Peruvian “derangement,” but the results were magnificent, especially Garcia’s interpretations.

Lebos then asked the crowd whether they would prefer a jam or a swing tune next. Swing won, or so it seemed, and Lebos noted: “Whoever said swing, I hate you!” “Faint Positive” was amazing, with Garcia reminding of Flora Purim, Lebos again mind-blowing, and Quinn walking that bass all over the room!

The power ballad “Blue Springs” is named for those springs in north Florida, and Masla had a fine drum feature. They closed with the Nirvana tune “Heart-Shaped Box.” This is a regular setlist addition, and they turn it into a fine jazz song. Garcia uses a voice modulator on occasion, and for this one, after her lovely soaring voice was featured, she switched to an almost male growl before returning to her own gorgeous voice.

[ABSTRACT CITIZEN: Ukes Not Nukes, Soul of a Nation, Maria Lando, Faint Positive, Blue Springs, Heart-Shaped Box]

And THAT, ladies and gents, is how you create the perfect pairing of two superb bands. Thanks to all involved. We look forward to the next Far Forest Sounds event!

Abstract Citizen have three more shows on this run:

04/11  Baby j’s Bar & Grill | Gainesville FL
04/12  Blue Jay Listening Room | Jacksonville Beach FL
04/13  Timucua Arts Foundation | Orlando FL