Part of the increasingly interesting Kindred Spirits reissue series, digging lost and underrated gems from the 1970’s, this is an absolute must for any jazz and funk fan, as it contains a large slice of both.
Incredibly funky from start to finish, the drums are so on point, underpinning a vibrant brass section, funky guitar and warm rhodes flourishes. Great vocals on a couple of tracks, “Work And Pray” and “Loving Kindness”, he has a surprisingly bluesy vocal style, which works really well on these slower tracks. It’s the jazz/funk workouts that really showcase his style, “Rib Crib 1” and 2, are straight up dance floor movers, with that hint of afro-beat that really gets the pace moving.
As with any worthy reissue, they have included an extra cut, originally released as a 7”, “Us” slows things done, but retains the funk, allowing the sax to take centre stage. The only criticism I have of this release is the varying audio quality of the tracks, but as I’ve never heard the original LP, and the shear funkiness more than makes up for this, I’m willing to let this slide.
A great album, which establishes Kindred Spirits as a reissue label worth keeping an eye on.
Wayne Stronell
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