Soul Vigilantes

About Soul Vigilantes

Soul Vigilantes is a worldwide modern soul project leaded by spanish composer, arranger and
producer Jose "Jas" Álvarez.
The project started in 2004 with the song Shy released as a 12" with on its first incarnation
accompanied with an amazing Greg Gauthier & Tony L remix. Shy was licensed for lots of
compilations and got amazing reviews. Since then Jose has been busy with his daytime job
related with music for commercials and other non-Soul productions, but he found time for
composing and arranging the songs included in Background Noise, with the help in
production from Señorlobo and Bruno Muñoz - the Lovemonk crew - and a lot of people
involved in the project.
Jose’s stuff inmediately attracted the interest of many great musicians and singers so easily a
great cast could be involved in the album.
Xan Blacq’s velvet voice is the lead in four songs in the album. The Nigerian singer based in
London is a rising star in the soul scene, Xan’s voice reminds of the best classic vocalists. The
rest of the singers are not less amazing, Aqeel, from LA, is a hip hop and soul vocalist with a
superclassy voice rooted in the best of Motown and of course Marvin Gaye. Jocelyn Medina is
a NY jazz singer with an unique voice texture, sometimes reminding Esther Phillips. Concha
Buika is probably the most complete voice in Spain, her skills move from Jazz to Copla
Flamenca and all things funk. She has collaborated with the major actors of the discerning
dancefloors, from Trüby Trio to Ralf Gum. And closing the album the surprising voice of the
new funky “La Lupe”, afro spanish funk sister Mayka Edjole, from The Sweet Vandals. Among
this, a couple of the tracks in the album feature lead vocals by Jas himself.
The album also counts with great musicians. An amazing all star horns section with Raul
Marques from Portugal playing trumpet, Mandela from Cuba blowing Trombone and Rubén
Morán playing Sax. Martín Buscaglia helps with bass and some guitars. Yelsy Heredia from
Cuba performs some bass parts too. Alex Maldonado apart from writing one of the funkiest
tunes in the album ‘Under Water’ also plays guitars on a couple of songs and also Miquel
Ferrer’s, Speak Low’s Pax and Borja Barrueta playing drums. Even Rubén “Watch TV” García,
adds some of his infamous programming to a couple of tracks.

The album was mixed by Toni Economides, part of Da Lata and engineer behind Bugz In The
Attic, Phil Asher, Reel People, Seiji and many many more.
Artwork was made by Mike Davis of the infamous Burlesque studio in California.
Background Noise is a fabulous Soul trip, walking by the good side of funk, with influences
ranging from Prince, Steely Dan or Zapp to Earth Wind & Fire, D’Angelo, Chic or James
Brown.