I think I had heard about Idris Muhammad at some point in the past as a player on a jazz album I listened to a while back, but was reminded of him tonight, and after looking him up, decided that I wanted to give him a listen tonight. A few things that jump out to me on Idris Muhammad’s Wikipedia page are his genres listed as jazz, funk, and r&b, along with that he grew up in New Orleans, and that he began his professional career with playing as a percussionist on Fats Domino’s track, “Blueberry Hill”. Then the mention of his working with Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield, and his having toured with Sam Cooke, makes me even more excited to listen to this album. With that said, I’m pretty stoked to check this one out, so I’m going to go ahead and jump on into the music.
“Power of Soul” has an interesting, distant echo of footsteps, while the bass gradually seems to come into the soundscape. Holy smokes, the band comes in with a combination of super strong and flavorful rock-inflected jazz grooves. I really dig the beat to this track. Holy smokes, some of these drum fills are so quick, and match up with the bass so well; I’m already really digging this track. The track so far reminds me of a super funk rock version of Steely Dan. Holy smokes, I’m making all sorts of faces while listening to this right now, as these grooves get nasty in such an awesome manner. Oh wow, these brass instruments keep adding more and more flavor; the saxophone really gets in there and takes the soundscape out there, while the horns seem to bring forth some super groovy semblance of a reality of some sort whenever they come back in. Oh wow, this electric guitar solo is super flavorful too, with a distortion that really brings a super flavorful style to the soundscape that almost feels like a shredding jazz-style. Oh wow, there was a bit of rhythm section only groove for a moment that was super tasty. Oh wow, the band really goes for a big crescendo at the end. Holy smokes, awesome track, and I’m excited to hear more.
Oh wow, “Piece of Mind” begins with such a serene feel between the harp and keys that almost produce an ethereal sound, while the drums keep things grooving in a super laid back manner. Oh wow, the horns have such a sleek sound as the tune seems to be building into some sort of laid-back funky elevator jazz. The backbeat is absolutely infectious. Oh wow, the tune seems to have moved into a second movement that feels like such a natural progression from the first part of the tune. The sound of the snare in the swing is absolutely awesome. Oh wow, I really dig the accentuations from the guitar at the side of the soundscape while the saxophone and trumpet seem to be taking the lead most of the time. The bass seems to gently rock and bop the tune along while being driven by the drums. Oh wow, these jams and grooves from the band have such a great feel. The combination of the drums and bass are making me make more faces, while the other instruments take the jams further out there in a super tasteful manner; this is awesome. Oh wow, some orchestral strings seem to begin to wrap up the playing on this track with some super sweet sounds, just before the band seems to continue on as though the music never stops. Wow, awesome tune.
Oh wow, “The Saddest Thing” begins with some super sweet, rich, bass-heavy lines from an electric guitar, while the drums and bass get a gentle swinging groove going. Oh wow, the saxophone and orchestral strings seem to produce a flavor that makes the melancholic pseudo-bluesy sound in the other instruments all the sweeter and more apparent. The grooves in this one have a super relaxed jazz feel, but still keep up that funky-inflection as the music moves between the natural ebbs and flows that arise in the soundscape. Oh wow, the cymbals in the drums almost sound like they’re raining in alongside the light flavorings from the keyboard. The soundscape almost sounds like The Doors’ song, “Riders on the Storm”. Oh wow, the ending of the tune is super relaxing and blissful. Super sweet track.
Oh wow, “Loran’s Dance” already sounds like it’s building up to something big with the slow introduction with the spacious keys and the gradually increasing sound from the bass guitar. Oh wow, the drums come in and bring a slowly gradually intensifying beat. Oh wow, I really dig the sound of the shakers as they come in for some super simple, and super flavorful additions and accentuations to the soundscape. Oh wow, the tune seems to continue building on itself. Holy smokes, the electric guitar comes in for some super flavorful, blues-inflected licks, while the drums and bass keep the groove gradually moving and building. I really dig the instruments that aren’t currently taking the lead seem to bounce off of one another in a style that feels reminiscent (to me) of jam bands. Holy smokes, the playing style of the lead instrument (which is a saxophone of some sort) almost felt as though it had a bit of a middle-eastern-inflection or possibly Spanish in its style, while the other instruments keep building up to an even bigger jam across the soundscape from behind and to the sides of the lead instruments. Oh wow, the jam has really mellowed out for the time being, and has turned into a jazz flow of sorts as the instruments seem to conjoin for some super flavorful playing. Oh wow, the accentuations from both the electric guitar and the piano are awesome. Oh wow, the guitar has become the lead player for a moment, before trading a bit with the keyboards for some super laid-back, funk-inflected jazz grooves. Wow, super groovy tune, and an awesome way to finish the album.
Holy smokes, this is a great album. If you’re into funk and funk rock, and have any inclination towards liking or being interested in checking out jazz, you might want to consider checking out this album. My face was doing all sorts of crazy contortions as the grooves went from smooth and relaxed to funky and flavorful, seemingly effortlessly. I definitely want to get this album on vinyl. If you do decide to give this album a listen, I sincerely do hope that you enjoy the listening experience at least as much as I did.
-A