When asked about their target audience, Grupo Fantasma’s guitarist Adrian responds, “Everyone,” and their show last Friday night at S.O.B.’s attests to this. Middle-aged salsa dancers were burning up the dance floor alongside the twenty-somethings bopping their heads to the funky groove. Grupo Fantasma constantly interacted with their audience, with the lead singer Jose taking the role of dance teacher as he shouted into the microphone, “1, 2, cha-cha-cha!”

Even just to simply see Grupo Fantasma on stage is something else, as their ten-member band takes up just as much room as their amazing bevy of instruments. The horn section, hugging the back of the stage, provided a reliable bounty of skill and fun throughout the performance and surged with the cinematic flair of “The Godfather” or “Zorro.” Their percussion, complete with congas, a cowbell, and a gigantic drum set, supplied the set with powerful danceable beats and the two lead singers crooned clearly and beautifully. The guitarists, particularly on their extremely funky song “Bacalao Con Pan,” consistently laid down edgy and intricate licks which kept the band’s energy going. There was an ease which comes across in their live performance, perhaps stemming from the fact that all are exceptionally talented musicians.

Throughout the night, their improvisation and penchant for speeding up and slowing down tempos created an air of unpredictability whose resolve could result in a music explosion. And musically explode is what Grupo Fantasma did. The tightness and musicality of their orchestral-based Latin Funk band were perfect for simply closing one’s eyes and listening. However, their dance-ready beats, readiness to have fun, and interaction with the crowd, especially when the lead singer asked the audience “Who’s sexy?” make standing still not an option. Grupo Fantasma’s soul power salute to James Brown at the end of the show, and their disco-tinged funk medley played directly thereafter, were relentless and made an amazing finale to a great show. They showed each other much mutual support and encouragement, clearing the stage for the drummer’s epically long solo so that he might experience his glory. Grupo Fantasma brought all of it home on Friday night at S.O.B.’s, including a truly astounding level of musical talent and an eagerness to let loose and have fun.