THE SPELLBOUND LEGACY

Over 30 Years & 14 Studio Albums!

Spellbound was formed in Los Angeles in the mid-1990s by founding members Paul “Pablo” Thomas (guitars, keyboards) and Bobby Moon (vocals, percussion). As award-winning songwriters and producers, the duo has spent over three decades creating and performing critically acclaimed music that fuses timeless grooves with modern vision.

Spellbound’s signature sound blends 1970s Funk & Soul, 80s Sophisti-pop, and 90s Brazilian, Cuban, and Latin Dance influences, all elevated by socially conscious lyrics and irresistible rhythms. In 2000, Thomas and Moon transitioned from a permanent line-up to a collaborative model, working with an eclectic roster of artists including Question Mark (? and the Mysterians), Cuban vocalist Candi Sosa, the late Artie “Mr. Flute” Webb, Roger Manning (Jellyfish), and the late Johnny Polanco, whose final studio appearance was on Spellbound’s 2015 release Pase La Voz.

 

Through their own Selfish Recordings label, Spellbound has built an expansive catalog of 14 albums, highlighted by:

  • Funqueros (1999) – praised by Campus Circle as “a jewel of magnanimous proportions.”
  • Poolside Fiesta (2007) – featuring their first music video, Hot Sauce.
  • The Main Hustle (2018) – with guest appearances by Margaret Young (vocals), Scott Martin (saxophones), and Blewfoot (drums), including the standout track Blues From Camp Fema, now a Spotify playlist favorite.

Beyond the studio, Spellbound has shared stages at major events such as the Hollywood Bowl Summer Concert Series (2002) and the final Sunset Junction Festival (2010). In 2008, Thomas and Moon opened their own recording space, Tripsville Studio in Los Angeles, which continues to host Spellbound projects as well as solo releases, including Sosa’s Faded Blue Jeans (2012), Thomas & Moon’s Poison in Our Skies (2014), Moon’s Private Message (2020), and Thomas’ Neutron City (2023).

 

In recent years, Spellbound has continued to evolve and earn critical acclaim. Especial! (2023) was hailed by Indie Post Magazine as “one of the most unique and ear-catching albums ever,” earning the band a cover feature. Looking ahead, 2025 marks the release of Life 101, a Brazilian-inspired journey mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Chris Gehringer (Dua Lipa, Rihanna, Ed Sheeran).

From their groundbreaking early releases to their latest explorations, Spellbound remains a vibrant force in Latin funk and tropical fusion — celebrating rhythm, culture, and community through music.