Mandrill (1971) Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi): Movement II (Now) - LOST70sGEMS

Brooklyn Jazz group Mandrill are one of the most popular of underground fusion bands from the 70s, and it started all on this 1971 LP. Warning Blues is a Muddy Waters Blues with little added to it, Rollin On is a Mexicana inspired number with fiery Latin percussion and trumpet work. The first real track that blows you over is the stunning Symphonic Revolution; an incredibly luminescent pop number as crashing waves of simmering cymbals collide with some flute and Vibraphone notes ringing out as the Wilson Brothers who made up the core of Mandrill laid down some soothing vocals urging you in dulcet tones to sing a song and let your voice ring out around the world. It boasts a great vibes and flute interplay in the solo section, while the backing strings are as rich as the brothers' vocals; a stunning revolution indeed.


The multi-part suite Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) dominates the majority fo the debut album with an intoxicating blend of styles; like the ornate cocktail piano noodling of Movement III (Time) and the sinister searing drones of a ring modulated organ and a sinister flute of Movement I (Birth). Movement V (Beginning) features a hot and hammering tabla led tribal chant of Love and Peace, while album closer Chutney is a sweet smooth liquefied flute showcase full of virtuoso trills dazzling off and radiating beauty and calmness. Note how the overdubbed flute lines at the end build up for a unique aural flurry, while the guitar glides and plays fluttering hammer ons that were all the range in early 70s soul e.g. Louis Shelton's guitar in I Want You Back.

However Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi): Movement II (Now) is my favourite piece of the suite and the album proper, with it's full on rock vocals, an build up to an orgasmic roar from the band to kick things off, then there is a solid hard rock rhythm underlined by a Hendrix 'Purple Haze' styled thick and florid fuzz guitar moan.