Various - Oneness Of Juju. African Rhythms. 1970-1982

Year : 2001
Label : Strut
Genre : Jazz, Soul
Style : Jazz Funk, Spiritual, Afrobeat, Disco

This compilation brings together on 3xLP, various recordings of the legendary american Afro-Jazz collective formed by multi-instrumentalist James 'Plunky' Branch. Their most active and prolific years were spent on the New York scene in the seventies, including productions released on Strata East & Black Fire labels, under various names, the best-known designation being "Oneness Of Juju". The collective explores as well as Spiritual Jazz (No Name # III / Love Is... / My Nigger & Me), Afro-Jazz (Nairobi/Chants), Afrobeat (Follow Me), Funk/Soul (Be About The Future, Got To Be Right On It) and Disco ("Plastic", "Every Way But Loose"). Titles include selected tracks in collaboration with James Branch, some best recordings released as "Juju", "Oneness Of Juju" (whose famous "African Rhythms"), "Plunky & Oneness Of Juju", various solo projects featuring Juju's leader and others from vibraphonist Lon Moshe or the ghanaian drummer & percussionist, Okyerema Asante.

DISC 1 : Oneness Of Juju - African Rhythms / Oneness Of Juju - Follow Me / Oneness Of Juju - River Luv Rite / Roach Om - No Name # III ~ Love Is... ~ My Nigger & Me

DISC 2 : Oneness Of Juju - Chants ~ Don't Give Up / Oneness Of Juju - Be About The Future / Juju & The Space Rangers - Got To Be Right On It (Original 45 Version)

DISC 3 : Oneness Of Juju - Space Jungle Funk / Oneness Of Juju - West Wind / Plunky & Oneness Of Juju - Every Way But Loose / Okyerema Asante & Plunky - Sabi / Okyerema Asante & Plunky - Asante Sana / Juju - Nairobi ~ Chants

Oneness Of Juju - African Rhythms

Year : 1975
Label : Black Fire
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Spiritual Jazz, Afrobeat

Essential debut album of american Afro-Jazz-Funk collective formed around brothers saxophonist James and bassist Philip Branch, known as Plunky & Muzi Nkabinde. "African Rhythms" fits into the panafricanism way, incarnation of the fusion between African roots and Afro-American culture, including traditional African percussions (balophone, marimbas), Spiritual Jazz and Rhthyms&Blues elements. During the seventies, the collective released two others recordings "Space Jungle Luv" in 1976 and "Make A Change" under the Plunky And Oneness Of Juju's name on the former jazz DJ and producer, Jimmy Gray's label "Black Fire". Titles include their best known single and anthem "African Rhythms" in extented version, the heavy funks "Kazi", "Poo Too", "Liberation Dues",  "Don't Give Up" & "Mashariki" featuring the thrilling voice of Eka-Ete Jackie Lewis and the spirtual "Inconito". Composed & arranged by Oneness Of Juju.

Doug Carn - Revelation

Year : 1973
Label : Black Jazz
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Spiritual, Vocal

Rare Soul & Spiritual Jazz with free improvisations by a versatile pianist (worked with Nat Adderley, Lou Donaldson or Stanley Turrentine) and featuring the voice of Jean Carn, his wife. He was member of Black Jazz Legacy Band for the independent Black Jazz label founded by the pianist Gene Russell. Titles include Naima by John Coltrane, Contemplation by Mc Coy Tyner and Jihad by Rene McClean. All tracks arranged, composed & written by Doug Carn except those mentionned.

Doug Carn_keyboards

Nathan Page_guitar

Walter Booker_bass

Ira Williams_drums

Jean Carn_vocals

Rene McClean_alto & tenor saxophone, flute, vocals

Earl McIntyre_trumpet

Olu Dara_trumpet & vocal

01. God Is One

02. Power And Glory
03. Revelation
04. Naima
05. Fatherhood
06. Contemplation
07. Feel Free
08. Time Is Running Out
09. Jihad