I have this vivid memory of walking to pick up my oldest from school in June of 2022. For a variety of reasons, I was in a very bad place mentally and it was brutally hot. But as “Habla” by Conclave settled into its groove, I found myself unconsciously strutting through the streets.

Conclave’s self-titled debut has been one of my go-to summer records ever since. The album blends Latin rhythms, funky synth bass, and pure party vibes, evoking a sunny day in the city. Its blend of jazz, salsa, house and P-Funk influences creates a block party DJ set worth of vibes into a cohesive whole.

“Take Heed (Nu Sunlight)” and “Alati Yeye Chege” feature flashes of jazz and salsa brushing up against house. The guitar on “Rise (Interlude)” calls to mind Prince’s massive, but languid melody lines. “Rise” itself is punctuated with electric piano stabs that eventually bleed into minimal techno bass wubs at the tail end.

The album’s producer, Cesar Toribio, a Berklee-educated brain behind Conclave, conjures these block party vibes seamlessly. For a little while, it made me feel lighter and smile – its pure party vibes felt like a sunny day in New York City.

Conclave is available on Bandcamp and most major streaming platforms including YouTube Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Qobuz and Deezer. So the next time you need that summer block party vibe to lift your spirits, give Conclave a listen.