Suns of Orpheus

Austin-based Suns of Orpheus blast through the Indie scene with their massive debut album Amoris Orbita. Frontman for this band of many talents is Brazilian-born Frederico Geib.



As a connoisseur of various World Music traditions, it was easy to hear the myriad of influences on here. It’s hard to nail Suns down into any one category. It’s almost as if they’re trying to elude us and defy genre altogether, but yet it all somehow works. I heard everything from the awesome sounds of West Africa to jazz-fusion, funk, psychedelic rock, reggae and Brazilian and Latin to name a few. And if I’m not mistaken, there are several languages represented hear as well.



From the fun and dynamic “Encanto” to the smooth title track or the nearly international punk-vibe of “Birth of Music”, this album proved itself to be a delight for me.



Highly creative energy-packed music with a clean recording and even mix equals an enjoyable listening experience. In all fairness, I couldn’t find anything negative to say about either the band or album.



Of course by the end of it all, I had to Wikipedia “Orpheus” to discover he was an ancient Greek legend who could charm all living things with his music—a pretty lofty goal for any band these days, if you ask me. But Suns aren’t too far off from accomplishing just that. A powerhouse of a band, a powerhouse of a debut album, these guys seem to be in this for the long haul. Let’s hope so. - Carlito's Music Reviews

Austin-based Suns of Orpheus blast through the Indie scene with their massive debut album Amoris Orbita. Frontman for this band of many talents is Brazilian-born Frederico Geib.



As a connoisseur of various World Music traditions, it was easy to hear the myriad of influences on here. It’s hard to nail Suns down into any one category. It’s almost as if they’re trying to elude us and defy genre altogether, but yet it all somehow works. I heard everything from the awesome sounds of West Africa to jazz-fusion, funk, psychedelic rock, reggae and Brazilian and Latin to name a few. And if I’m not mistaken, there are several languages represented hear as well.



From the fun and dynamic “Encanto” to the smooth title track or the nearly international punk-vibe of “Birth of Music”, this album proved itself to be a delight for me.



Highly creative energy-packed music with a clean recording and even mix equals an enjoyable listening experience. In all fairness, I couldn’t find anything negative to say about either the band or album.



Of course by the end of it all, I had to Wikipedia “Orpheus” to discover he was an ancient Greek legend who could charm all living things with his music—a pretty lofty goal for any band these days, if you ask me. But Suns aren’t too far off from accomplishing just that. A powerhouse of a band, a powerhouse of a debut album, these guys seem to be in this for the long haul. Let’s hope so. - Carlito's Music Reviews

From the first track, Suns of Orpheus grips you with its unique spin on Latin-flavored jazz fusion with very strong rock elements.

Although many of the lyrics are not in English, do not be deterred, as the music alone conveys a vibrant, effervescent emotional wellspring. Amoris Orbita is very Brecker Brothers meets early Santana. And unlike many Latin rock bands, Suns of Orpheus' sense of musicality is not hindered by an over-abundance of instruments clamoring to be heard. Rather, the band keeps things minimal and allows the purity of the individual components to shine.

Keeping the party moving, the second track "Birth of Music" oozes a Latin disco funk with a bit of Barenaked Ladies modernist quirk.

And since you cannot have a Latin rock album without a bit of romance, we are treated to "Tree of Love," which exudes bucket-loads of sensuality, and as an added surprise, come chorus time, Suns of Orpheus bops into a bit of ska!

What I find most fascinating about the band is that although it has harnessed a Latin-jazz-rock sound, it is not afraid to move beyond the confines of those genre-traits. For example, "Agua de Coco" features some ripping neo-progressive keyboard work, and "Deseo Mayor" rings with Hendrix-influenced guitar chops.

If there is any criticism of Suns of Orpheus, it is the lack of a fulltime brass section, which would add a classy sheen to the band's sound. But perhaps the band doesn't want to go over-the-top with an already rich cultural inspiration. It more than amply compromises with one of the most wicked percussion performances this side of The Police.

Suns of Orpheus, in a nutshell, sounds like a band that stepped right out of the 1970s, bringing along with it everything cool about the music of the era, and retooled it for modern consumption. When I listen to Amoris Orbita, I really feel like kicking back with a marathon of Chico and the Man, The Mod Squad, and Sanford and Son! - Music Emissions

It’s time for another meeting of The Good Music Club, where the best of Austin’s diverse music scene comes together for a one-of-a-kind party and live concert filming. September 29th marks our ninth showcase at ND, and we are very proud to present this month’s performers:

Little Radar seems to have picked up where White Denim left off, stirring up a huge buzz in just about a year and a half with their slightly fuzzed and layered indie anthems. These Mad Dogs of Glory offer a slice of Austin’s bubbling roots-rock revival scene, and Jack Wilson holds his own onstage, whether he’s solo with a guitar or heading up a band complete with lap steel and horns. Finally, we’ll shake it out with Brazilian psychedelic pop from a band recently bestowed with a great honor by the City of Austin: Suns of Orpheus Day (August 23, 2012).

Join us for an evening of fun and stretch your musical palette as you celebrate and sample Austin’s live music with us. Always FREE and featuring a Good Beer Special.



(9pm) Jack Wilson

(10pm) These Mad Dogs of Glory

(11pm) Little Radar

(12am) Suns of Orpheus - Culture Map Austin

August 16, 2012 | by Skope

World music conglomerate Suns of Orpheus have been moving and shaking (both literally and figuratively) in Austin since last year when they recorded their debut EP having NEVER played a live show. Recently, they saw their hometown honor their musical endeavors with a special gift all of their own—August 23rd will not only serve as the official release date of their first full-length, Amoris Orbita; but will forever forward be known as “Frederico & Suns of Orpheus Day.”

The 10-track album is a cornucopian endeavor of musical styles, genres and instrumentation and no review in the world would ever be comprehensive enough to touch on them all. Just trust me when I say this thing is simply brimming with Latin, African and Reggae sentimentality; laced with rock, electronica and psychedelic elements; all piped through Tropicalia and traditional instrumentation alongside multilingual lyrics (And…that may be the longest sentence I’ve ever written).


“Agua de Coco” gives the listener the first taste of eclectic this album brings with a psychedelic groove melody, ELO style keyboard blips and funk wah guitar and keys. The harmonized Portuguese lyrics ride tandem with effects-laden English verse work making this one a funk-fueled, Latin-spiced head bobber. “Amoris Orbita” opens to more funk groove at mid-tempo pace, but belies the underlying message of Frederico Geib’s testament adoration for his two young daughters. One need not understand Portuguese to recognize the positive love story conveyed by the earnest vocal delivery. Again, this is spiked with a myriad of standard Latin instrumentation and the slight psychedelic keys that ever loom just below the surface of the track. Distorted electric takes the lead on “Deseo Mayor” over the various backing Tropicalia percussion, funk keys and almost Latin rap style vocal delivery. The tempo and lyrics of this one beckon you out of your seat (I dare anyone to listen to this one and stay completely still). The Reggae-spiked vocals of “Encanto” are bolstered by acoustic strums in what can only be described as a Latin Pop dance track through to the midpoint guitar reminiscent of Carlos Santana’s trademark soaring solos. “Tree of Love” with its down tempo melodic opening, gives way to upbeat groover with almost Reggae time signature at the chorus complete with heavy electric lead through to the outro.

And as predicted, I failed in conveying the vast scope of this album in one review. The sheer amount of musicality at Suns of Orpheus’ disposal is simply…incredible. But more importantly, their knowledge and execution of the myriad of genres they employ makes the marriage of so many styles of music within the tracks appropriate and deliberate; not kitschy and as some attempt to cram as many styles in as possible. These songs ARE supposed to contain so many elements. It’s not only the signature of each individual track; but also the ethos of the entire album.

This is just fun music, equal parts groovy funk and fiery Latin, with good lyrical matter and the instrumentation cranked up to “muito.” But perhaps most importantly, what this is is exposure of the average listener to something typically far beyond the scope of the daily playlists in their iPods. This is Buena Vista Social Club, just ramped up, contemporary and expounded upon. - Skope Magazine

Any person with ears will love this CD. Suns of Orpheus blends Latin, Brazilian and American textures into this stellar collection.

Immediately into the first track on Amoris Orbita, it is apparent that something extra special is happening. One's audio sensory registers are bursting with a fresh sound. Combining rich funk, soul, rock and colorful Latin sounds, Suns of Orpheus create a mixture of sounds that stretches the imagination.

The initial reaction in "Encanto" is the obvious language barrier. The song is rich with passion and an undeniable sense of beat. It is catchy without being cliche; it is unique without being desperate. The listener is so drawn into the mysterious concoction of sounds. The mood is like a wave of eating a summer salad speckled with avocado and laced with Italian dressing. "Encanto" sets the mood and sets it up nicely.

In "Birth of Music" the arrangement of funky meets a hybrid of soul and rock is just oh so fun. Imagine a party song amongst a more sophisticated, hipster crowd. That's a bit closer than just saying a frat boy party song. Like the folks at Rhymesayers, this piece challenges the music landscape. The song succeeds at giving the listener an approachable and memorable chorus.

As the tracks move along, the listener is kept on the edge of his or her seat with sneaky percussions and drizzling guitars. Songs like "Deseo Mayor," "Tree of Love" and "gua-de Coco" overflow with positivity. While listening to Suns of Orpheus, it is soon apparent that when one says they are part of the reggae base, for example, they are really a part of it. The listener feels so in tuned to each note and each catchy lyric. The words and vibe pierce the heart like a organ lingers in church.
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In "Great Eastern Sun" and "Essa Galera" they prove mesmerizing beats and distinguished vocals can sound so familiar but so unique. These songs breathe. Suns of Orpheus describe their sound as psychedelic pop. This writer/listener feels that this is a definite contender to describe their sound, but as many indie artists are now proving, defining one's genre can also be limiting. Suns of Orpheus have so much to offer and their sound fuses so many different sources.
Overall CD Review is A+++

As if there were any secrets - Amoris Orbita gets an A+++. Yes, that's right, three plusses after that A. Fans of Satchel Grande, Santana, Cake, Sly and the Family Stone (especially the song "Birth of Music") and Miles Davis will really dig Suns of Orpheus. It is well worth the listen!

Read more at Suite101: CD Review: Suns of Orpheus 'Amoris Orbita' Out of This World | Suite101.com http://suite101.com/article/cd-review-suns-of-orpheus-amoris-orbita-out-of-this-world-a411112#ixzz27MdjcVD5

- Suite101

Thursday will be a big day for Austin-based psychedelic world music band Suns of Orpheus. Austin’s Brazilian answer to Steely Dan, the group will be honored by The City of Austin declaring August 23 as “Suns of Orpheus Day” on the same day as their CD release show at Antone’s. Not bad for a band that formed in the summer of 2011.

Fronted by Brazilian funkster and songwriter Frederico Geib, Suns of Orpheus have just completed their new album Amoris Orbita (Love Orbit). For Amoris Orbita, the group worked with Grammy winning saxophonist Phillipe Vieux (Eddie Palmieri) and Martín Perna (AntiBalas-Ocote Soul Sounds). Amoris Orbita is the follow up to their debut self-titled EP. - Austin Vida

Encanto is a groovy bit of rock that will keep listeners swinging. Hints of soul, funk, and Caribbean music can be heard alongside a more continental and Spanish flair. Encanto is incredibly rewarding; subsequent listens will spotlight sides to the track that were previously hidden. Birth of Music has a unique sound that unites psychedelic rock, funk, and even surf into a retro-futuristic sound. Suns of Orpheus continue to cut singles with Tree of Love, a soulful track that takes on a very contemporary (311 and Mighty Mighty Bosstones) feel. Suns of Orpheus ensure that listeners are provided with constantly challenging and different tracks each time out. Great Eastern Sun showcases the virtuosity of the drummer even as the flute work takes the fore.

Winter’s Delight is the final track on this album, but listeners would be hard-pressed to know that from listen alone. Rather, Winter’s Delight is one of the best tracks on this CD. A lush arrangement draws listeners in, while the inimitable vocals that follow add intricacy to this track. With so many things happening at any part of this 6:30 track, Suns of Orpheus are easily able to keep fans until the last note. Amoris Orbita is very cohesive despite the sheer spaces that exist between each track. This album is one of the few that work better as a cohesive entity rather than a collection of singles.

I would like to see the Suns of Orpheus live, as the freestyle nature of the band would ensure that no two performances would be the same. If the tracks on Amoris Orbita are any indication, the band will be amazing for years to come.

Top Tracks: Birth of Music, Great Eastern Sun

Rating: 8.6/10

Read more: http://neufutur.com/?p=30511#ixzz26I60FaaU
- Neufutur Music

AUGUST 22, 2012 - The deep creative impact and musical goodwill generated in Austin, Texas these past years by Frederico Geib—Brazilian born frontman of the global fusion ensemble Suns of Orpheus—has inspired the independent music mecca to declare August 23, 2012 “Frederico & Suns of Orpheus Day.” This special day doubles as a CD release party for Amoris Orbita, the band’s first full length recording whose rich blend of American, Brazilian, Latin and other world music influences creates an exciting new stylistic hybrid Geib dubs “International Psychedelic Pop.” In addition to receiving this honor and performing live at City Hall, the band celebrates the release with a party at the legendary club Antone’s. The impending honor, in part to acknowledge the hundreds of music events Geib has produced in Austin, was the catalyst for Suns of Orpheus to, as the visionary musician and songwriter says, “complete the album in a short period and with very limited means.” The resulting ten track collection is an eclectic and exotic swirl of sensuous world beat grooves, rock and psychedelic sounds that are influenced by funk, reggae and world music of the early 70s. With songs written in three languages, Suns of Orpheus transcends musical and cultural barriers while exuding explosive energy, charisma and universal appeal in their live shows. - Rockwired Magazine

Suns of Orpheus has received popular acclaim as they ranked among the top 10 best new bands of 2011! - The Austin Chronicle

The Pecan Street Festival music stages play host to some of the best emerging bands in Austin and the surrounding area.

Staying ever true to our roots, the Pecan Festival strives to bring to light new talent in the vein of previous musicians and bands who played on our stages, such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Vallejo, Grupo Fantasma, Tommy Tutone, Rueben Ramos, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Come out and listen to the next big name in music! - http://www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com/music/

"(Suns) help to proove exactly that point: International Psychedelic Pop". - KXAN-NBC affiliate

“It's been a while since I've gotten excited about a new band/find. I'm really excited about Suns of Orpheus... a great band that has a unique sound that is funk, rock and psychedelic finely blended with his signature Brazilian influence.”
— Manny Morales, MannygoCrazy - Manny Morales