Orchestre Du Montplaisant II

Orchestre du Montplaisant are a worldly troupe, who display the intrepidness and roaming interests of true explorers. The band's sound can be defined in its diversity, ranging from a darker form of mystic exotica to the sun-kissed soundtrack to some future film set on the shores of a faraway island. Their new record defiantly combines the authentic sounds of fuzzy 70s high-life, the sensual sway of oriental Arabiana and a trippy Cumbia track of the sweltering kind, a kin to that of The Meridian Brothers. The charm of this LP lies in the band's ubiquitous authenticity. These songs could so easily be the standards, which you would otherwise hear covered and re-covered from generation to generation in their native countries.

The record is awash with guest vocals, bouncing carnival beats and vintage organ solos, inviting you to close your eyes and imagine the sunbeams reflecting off the ice-cubes in your glass, while your feet carry you away, across the sand.

The band have significantly evolved their outernational sound since their first release and have recorded two sessions for Cerys Matthews on BBC 6 Music, as well as enjoying regular plays on different BBC Radio shows, including Tom Ravenscroft's.