Denver’s San Leandro Preps Debut Album Dive for September Release

Fronted by Leandro “Leo” Albertoni, the psych-funk project drops its Color Red debut on September 18 ahead of a California tour.

Denver psych-funk project San Leandro, fronted by multi-instrumentalist Leandro “Leo” Albertoni, drops its debut album, Dive, on September 18. Arriving via Denver’s own Color Red label—founded by Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds—the eight-song LP follows the soulful single “Fractures,” a track channeling the mellow, intricate West Coast R&B vibes of Steely Dan and Toto. Fans can pre-order the album now via the official Color Red website or Bandcamp. Albertoni wears every hat imaginable for the project, serving as lead singer, keyboardist, guitarist, composer, producer, and lyricist to build a sound centered on raw, organic groove.

From Sideman to Self-Discovery

Before launching San Leandro, Albertoni spent years touring alongside blues and funk royalty, including Buddy Guy, Neal Francis, Andy Frasco, and Paul Nelson. Life on the road taught him the value of authenticity, sparking the confidence to step out of the background and cut his own material. Shifting from a sought-after sideman to a frontman, Albertoni seamlessly blends his rich history in blues and R&B with introspective indie songwriting.

Capturing Analog Magic

At the heart of Dive is a dedication to the warmth and beautiful imperfections of classic 1970s tape tracking. To preserve the chemistry of a live band, the album was cut with musicians playing together in a single room. Guitarists Joe Gallo and Jake Riley bring distinctive axe-work to the record, anchored by powerhouse drummer Everett Sutton. Renowned session drummer AJ Hall (Jon Cleary) lends his pocket to two tracks, while original bassist Darian Woller lays down the album’s low-end.

The Live Lineup and Denver Connection

While Dive captures a specific studio moment, San Leandro’s sound continues to evolve on stage. The current touring lineup features bassist Murphy Smith, who now locks in the rhythm section alongside Sutton to bring Albertoni’s themes of renewal and vulnerability to life. Though Albertoni built his musical foundation in Chicago, the collaborative, groove-heavy Denver scene ultimately forged his artistic voice—culminating in an album designed as a complete, cohesive journey.

California Tour Dates

To celebrate the arrival of the new record, San Leandro is bringing their heavy live groove to the West Coast for a pair of high-energy California shows. Fans can catch the band live ahead of the album release at these stops:

• September 11 – San Francisco, CA @ Boom Boom Room (1601 Fillmore St)
• September 17 – San Diego, CA @ The Holding Company (Album Release Eve)

Note: Additional California tour dates will be announced throughout September.

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