Jazz / World Fusion; Worldbeat
Recorded: 1979
Babatunde Lea - Conga, Drums, Timbales, Traditional Drumming, Vocals
Babatunde Olatunji - Percussion, Vocals
Dee Dee Dickerson - Vocals (Background)
Eddie Henderson - Soloist, Trumpet
Forrest Buchtel - Trumpet
Hiroyuki Shido - Bass, Bass (Electric)
Julian Priester - Soloist, Trombone
Mark Isham - Synthesizer, Synthesizer Programming
Marvin Boxley - Arranger, Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Producer, Vocals
Russell Hisashi Baba - Arranger, Sax (Alto)
Vicki Randle - Vocals (Background)
* Allen Pittman - Producer
* James McCaffry - Art Direction, Cover Photo
* Phil Crescenzo - Engineer, Producer
This reissue of an LP cut for the Theresa label contains plenty of exciting music. Percussionist Babatunde Lea takes stirring solos and constantly inspires the ensembles and soloists during a generally high-powered set. The musicians were all based in San Francisco at the time, including guest soloists trumpeter Eddie Henderson and trombonist Julian Priester. The music is Afro-Cuban jazz with bits of 1970s electronics and funk added to the mix. But despite some R&B-ish vocals (which dominate a bit during the last few tracks) and commercial moments, the music is excellent, there are some strong solos, and the set generally dates well.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
