Prophets Of Soul - Gregory James Edition (1972)

Not much time to post since several weeks and no internet at home (moving house ...), but this lp is worth to be known in the funk sphere.
It was recorded in 1972 on Dakar records by Prophets Of Soul, a band formed in the late 60's.
Funky keyboards sounds and a nice batch of various rhythms and atmospheres.
Features the nice ballad "Brother Marcus" dedicated to black activist Marcus Garvey, and some standards as "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Shaft". Just great.

Musicians :
Gregory Bibb: clarinet, combo organ, grand piano, fender rhodes - James Norris: guitar - Anthony McAllister: drums

Changing Things


1. Brother Marcus
2. Ain't No Sunshine
3. Grandma Heavy
4. Shaft
5. Changing Things
6. Love And Happiness
7. Make It Easy On yourself

George Muribus - Brazilian Tapestry (1976)

This nice brazilian jazz lp was recorded by pianist George Muribus in 1976 for Catalyst records.
Actually, as the liner notes say, it can be separated into 2 parts: first side is more oriented to brazilian electric sounds while side B is accoustic and played on a very inspired piano / bass / drums jazz mode. To me, kind of a classic.

Musicians:
George Muribus: electric piano (side A) / accoustic piano (side B) - Michael Howell: guitar - Vince Denham: saxophone - Vince Lateano: drums - Willie Colon: conga - Dave Dunaway: bass (side A) - Len Lasher: bass (side B)

The Dolphin


1. Brazilian Tapestry
2. I Won't Last A Day Without You
3. The Dolphin
4. Pocrasni
5. Diminishing Returns
6. Night Flower
7. Alon

Brian Auger's Oblivion Express - Closer To It! (1973)

Brian Auger's Oblivion Express Band released this jazz funk lp in 1973 for RCA label. It contains a very groovy and solid percussions / bass / drums section with nice keyboards.
The excellent "Light On The Path" is the only fully instrumental piece of the album.

Musicians:
Brian Auger: organ, piano, electric piano, moog, mellotron, vocals - Barry Dean: bass guitar - Jack Mills: lead guitar - Lennox Laington: congas - Godfrey MacLean: drums, cowbell

Voices Of Other Times


1. Whenever You're Ready
2. Happiness Is Just Around The Bend
3. Light On The Path
4. Compared To What
5. Inner City Blues
6. Voices Of Other Times

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The John Payne Band - The Razor's Edge (1978)

Solid jazz funk record released by saxophonist/flutist John Payne and his band for Freedom Records (FLP 41036) in 1978. Includes some great and spacy fender rhodes / bass / percussion stuff with very groovy rhythms.

Musicians :
John Payne: tenor / soprano / bariton sax, flute - Louis Levin: fender rhodes, acoustic piano, clavinet, synthetizers - Scott Lee: electric and acoustic bass - Gerald Murphy: tama drums / percussion - Ricardo Torres: congas, timbales, percussion

Sounds From The Sea's Edge


1. Lolita
2. Sounds From The Sea's Edge
3. Himiola
4. Ariadne
5. The Razor's Edge
6. New Spaces
7. Electric Lush
8. Past Days
9. Reaching

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Brian Augers's Oblivion Express - Straight Ahead (1974)

One of the best and most jazz funk-oriented albums (with "Closer To It") by Oblivion Express (just my opinion). And showing Brian Auger playing much fender rhodes, which I particularly appreciated since I've discovered (quite long ago now !) the "Thrust" album by Herbie Hancock's Headhunters.
While I'm not particularly a fan of the vocals by Brian Auger, it is important to listen enough to each piece (a bit more than 2 minutes as for "Beginning Again" for example) to see how groovy and inventive this musician can be, accompanied with this excellent rhythmic session.
"Bumpin' On Sunset" is the only completely instrumental piece and reminds by its arrangement of the Wes Montgomery cover, with a deep organ touch.
The last piece "You'll Stay In My Heart" is the mellow one of the album and Brian Auger then delivers an inspired rhodes solo.

Musicians :
Brian Auger : organ, fender rhodes, piano, moog, Freeman string machine and vocals - Barry Lean : bass guitar - Jack Mills : guitar - Lennox Laington : congas - Steve Ferrone : drums - Mirza Al Sharif : timbales, percussion

Beginning Again


You'll Stay In My Heart


1. Beginning Again
2. Bumpin' On Sunset
3. Straight Ahead
4. Change
5. You'll Stay In My Heart

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