Idris Muhammad
Black Rhythm Revolution

Debut album recorded for Prestige Records (though ‘Peace & Rhythm was released the same year – 1971) from drummer Idris Muhammad, ‘Black Rhythm Revolution’ is a killer 5 track set that includes a grip of thumping cover versions. Charles Wright’s classic ‘Express Yourself’ is pitched up and given a funky bounce thanks to Muhammad’s syncopated drums, Melvin Spark’s fluid guitar lines and Harold Mabern’s funky keys, the stunning version of James Brown’s ‘Superbad’ is a classic – Clarence Thomas’ sax and Mabern’s cooking organ rapping over Muhammad’s driving beat – while the almost waltz-time groove of ‘Wander’ (Muhammad’s own composition) is trademark Prestige funky jazz. ‘By The Red Sea’ would initially suggest an East African influence but the track has a more Latin American swing – Thomas’ wiry soprano sax snakes in and out giving it that Arabian feel – while Jack McDuff’s bluesier ‘Soulful Drums’ slows things down somewhat and allows Idris to shine. Great album!