Some say this is the Godfather's strongest instrumental album, featuring the arrangements of his earlier sound, but with the harder bass and drums of the later work. A good example of this is the track "The Chicken" where the heavy drum and bass intro burst into a James Brown groover. The obvious track here is the famous Popcorn (and it's accompanying dance), but for the harder funk checkout Soul Pride pts. 1 + 2. Again falling into my "Greatest Moments in History" category, the drum break section could be the best on any album. Used to fame by Digable Planets and many others, you might have to lower the pitch a couple notches cause the blazing speed is almost incomprehensible. After you've heard this album you'll understand how much control the Godfather had over his band. Every track is organized very tightly with none of the goofing around you'll hear in later JB's records. A serious instrumental album. My sleeper pick on here is the downtempo "A New Shift" with those short amazing drum fills. What's up with his piece on the cover? God damn.

• music label: Polydor / 1969

reviewed by the mgmnt 10/2005