Elemental Music together with Universal Music Special Markets reissues the debut album by Brooklyn based band Mandrill, an eclectic funk combo founded in 1968 by the Wilson Brothers. Released in early 1971, it peaked at #27 on the Billboard R&B albums chart and is an impressive cocktail of groovy soul-funk, progressive pop, fusion, psychedelic rock, Afro- Latin and Caribbean rhythms. Highly recommended for fans of Santana, Electric Flag, Chicago and Jimi Hendrix. Mandrill was formed in Brooklyn in 1968 by three multi-instrumentalist brothers, Louis, Richard and Carlos Wilson, all of whom originally hailed from Panama. After running an ad in the Village Voice they were soon joined by Omar Mesa, Claude Cave, Charlie Padro and Bundie Cenac. Between them this seven man group could play over 20 instruments. Although often labeled a funk or RnB band, Mandrill is much more than just that. Their music combines those two genres with jazz, rock, classic Latin music, and styles of their own creation, often mixing all this together in the same song. Their albums are often composed of multi-movement songs that blend together to make a long running urban tone poem. In concert, their songs are often taken to great lengths with creative improvisations. Although different band members have come and gone over the years, the three original brothers still remain, and they are often joined onstage by their musically talented children. Mandrill continues to tour and record to this day, inspiring many with their complex rhythms, arrangements and lyrics about spirituality, peace, love and brotherhood.
Tracklist:
1. MANDRILL 4:20
2. WARNING BLUES 4:33
3. SYMPHONIC REVOLUTION 5:15
4. ROLLIN’ ON 7:39
5. PEACE AND LOVE (AMANI NA MAPENZI): MOVEMENT I (BIRTH) 1:50
6. PEACE AND LOVE (AMANI NA MAPENZI): MOVEMENT II (NOW) 1:46
7. PEACE AND LOVE (AMANI NA MAPENZI): MOVEMENT III (TIME) 2:14
8. PEACE AND LOVE (AMANI NA MAPENZI): MOVEMENT IV (ENCOUNTER) 6:05
9. PEACE AND LOVE (AMANI NA MAPENZI): MOVEMENT V (BEGINNING) 2:05
10. CHUTNEY 3:05
Credits:
All songs written by the Wilson Brothers except track 1, written by Mandrill. PRODUCED BY BEAU RAY FLEMING AND MANDRILL ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: MITCH GREEN ENGINEER: RECORDING AND REMIX: KIM KING ASST. ENGINEER: VIN LEARY RECORDED AT: ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS, N.Y., N.Y. WINTER, 1970 ALL SONGS ARRANGED BY MANDRILL MANDRILL ARE: CLAUDE CAVE Organ, Piano, Vibes, Percussion, Vocals BUNDIE CENAC Bass, Percussion, Vocals OMAR MESA Lead Guitar, Vocals, Percussion CHARLES PADRO Drums, Percussion, Vocals CARLOS WILSON Flute, Trombone, Guitar, Vocals, Percussion LOU WILSON Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Congas, Vocals, Percussion RIC WILSON Tenor Saxophone, Vocals, Percussion.
