BAEBLE CONCERTS: The Phenomenal Handclap Band at Santo's Party House

The crowd was swaying, the disco ball was spinning, and eight shaggy-haired performers in flowing garments sang their hearts out and played their instruments with an infectious enthusiasm that made everyone want to let the sunshine in, despite the late hour. And no, we're not talking about a revival of Hair. The Phenomenal Handclap Band brought their funkadelic sermonizing to Santos Party House for the record release party of their self-titled debut.

Despite the shortness of their set, the collective brought together orchestral coordination, all the spirit and technical proficiency of their album and a ton of joyous presence to make everyone in the audience a believer. Looking like they just stepped off the Magic Bus and sounding like the hits of the last fifty years just went through a successful session of "Will it Blend?" the Phenomenal Handclap Band puts on a live show not to be missed. It was almost mesmerizing enough to make us forget the conspicuous absence of handclaps. Perhaps a name change is in order: "The Phenomenal Tambourine Experience"? - Nina Mashurova