Posted by Mikey Rodge on October 14 2015

Fresh off the heels of releasing 'Space Jazz', a game changing album in its own right, Michal Menert has upped the ante even further by releasing a live studio album as Michal Menert & The Pretty Fantastics. After debuting his 18-piece 'Big Band' at Red Rocks in April, the electro-soul OG decided to trim it down to a 6-piece to tour and record new music with. Along with Michal's electronic stylings and soothing vocals, the band also features longtime drummer A.C. Lao, bass player Marcelo Moxy, guitar player Matt van den Heuvel, trumpet player Will Glazier, and Daniel De Lisle playing the flute and trombone.

Although Menert is known by many as a top-notch electronic producer, he is no stranger to performing live music. Longtime Colorado music fans may remember his days as part of the live hip-hop band Listen back in the early to mid 2000's. A band that also featured a young Derek Vincent Smith, among others. In a way, this is Menert's musical journey coming full-circle, while also moving forward.

The debut studio album from the sextet is simply titled "1", a sign that there could be more music on the way. Part indie-rock and part electro-soul, the album is much more than your standard livetronica. Although there are electronic elements involved, they are just a piece to the puzzle as opposed to a driving factor. You will notice right away that the songs are very lyrical, and the live musicianship that is involved has allowed Michal to broaden his sound and create music with even more depth and melodic structure than before. After listening to this album, you get the feeling that Menert has opened up a whole new world of possibilities that perhaps were somewhat limited within the electronica spectrum. This unique LP is out now on Super Best Records. You can stream it in its entirety below.

Michal Menert & The Pretty Fantastics will be appearing at Art Outside in Austin, TX on October 24th. If you can't catch them at that fest, do not fret because they are currently on tour accompanied by additional sets from fellow Super Best artists Marcelo Moxy and WillDaBeast, and support from StarRo (Soulection) and Russ Liquid. Be sure to check them out!