Spacey funksters ORGŌNE have dropped one of 2024’s first must-listen new albums, Chimera. In classic mythology, a Chimera is a monster made up of distorted, mismatched pieces of various beasts, real and unreal, that somehow mind-bendingly exist as a whole. Conversely, this collection of funky, soulful grooves, epic guitar crescendos, and lo-fi jams runs the gamut of genres without ever seeming to be simply checking things off a list. Instead, the varied styles form a truly satisfying total far greater than the pieces alone.
The opening instrumental, “Hallowed Dreams”, offers an appropriately broad and flowing tour of some of the styles to be employed on the rest of the disc. The album’s lead single, “Lies And Games”, is the kind of tune on which Marvin Gaye would have shined, and keyboard player Dan Hastie does some stellar work evoking early-’70s sounds while utilizing all of today’s studio clarity. “Basilisk”, another haphazardly assembled creature of yore, is an earworm that will have everyone at the party up and moving to its groove.
What’s a ’60s and ’70s flavored throwback album without a song against war and strife? Enter “Peace For You” with an irresistibly slinky guitar spine from ORGŌNE’s co-founder and musical heartbeat Sergio Rios, whose work shines like the North Star over the entirety of Chimera. From there, the album rolls into the second single, “Parasols”, another instrumental that has a truly infectious, perky pocket courtesy of drummer Sam Halterman.
With the tone set, the more explorative aspect of Chimera starts to shine. The Afrobeat of “Zum Zum” benefits greatly from the authenticity brought by guest vocalist Mermans Mosengo, who does some seriously energetic work on the track. “Running Low” and “The Husk” continue the near-timeless feeling of spacey R&B and modern echo laden lo-fi jams that permeates the disc.
The last track on Chimera, “Tula Muisi (Dance Like Me)”, brings back all the disparate pieces on display throughout the album to create the most completely seamless tune on the disc. With equal parts of the elements already present, it is simultaneously world music-influenced while retaining its ’70s soul spirit and utilizing some impressive modern studio production.
If you’re wanting an album that’s the perfect mix of chill grooves, dance floor calls, and world music-tinged funk and soul, then this album will satisfy all your needs and more. With Chimera, ORGŌNE has clearly taken the next step (or two) in their 25-year musical evolution. Listen to the album below or click here to stream it on your preferred platform. The album is also available to order on green, yellow, or black vinyl here.
Ogone – Chimera [Playlist]