There’s a future secret weapon here for those of a Balearic bent. Especially for spots such as Casa Lhasa’s “Mezcal Mondays”, who love a wonderful cover. 

This new 10”, Bandcamp exclusive from Swedish trumpeter Goran Kajfes opens with the original number “Urhavet”, which begins as a spiritual swirl, sorta Pharoah Sanders meets Miles Davis’ “Sketches From Spain”, before hitting a funky drum driven groove. With a solid bass-line as its foundation, a variety of virtuoso electric keys, and the massed horns of The Subtropic Arkestra supplying its hook, singer Amanda Werne, aka Slowgold, takes flight with soaring Eastern psyche folk melodies. 

The EP closes with a radical interpretation of Erasmo Carlos’ “Vida Antigua”, whose title is given the extension of “Vida Electrika”, as it segues from respectful, authentic Brazilian pop, easy-listening, swinging, all be it with some spotlight stealing free saxophone skronk, into gentle ambient abstraction constructed from squiggling sequences and cascading notes. 

These are both brilliant in their own right, but in between is a terrific twist  on Lo Borges’ “Tudo O Que Voce Podia Ser”. The Arkestra giving the classic – made famous by Milton Nascimento on his album “Clube da Esquina” – a big band reading, with Werne translating the lyrics from Portuguese into the outfit’s native tongue. The piece’s intro of strummed acoustic strings and fluttering woodwinds is quickly joined by a joyful eruption of rocky guitar riffing and punchy brass blasts. Anna Ahnlund’s backing vocals adding jazzy, scatting group harmonies and that sax, again, allowed a huge, honking solo. 

Goran Kajfeš Subtropic Arkestra & Amanda Werne’s new EP can be ordered directly from We Jazz Records.