Numero Group continues to unearth some truly surprising gems! For their latest they turn to the Twin Cities circa 1978. Brothers Andre and Pierre Lewis, flush with insurance money from a recently overturned Buick Century, embark on a recording spree through the Minneapolis / St. Paul area's many studios. Their accidentally misspelled debut features a fiery brew that is equal parts libidinous Parliament funk and Earth, Wind & Fire's incendiary sophistication. It expertly captures the Minneapolis Sound’s founding fathers at the paradigm-shifting confluence of funk, jazz, and pop. Only about 200 copies are thought to have been pressed at the time of its release, and originals are hard to come by if you see them at all. The slow burning "Got To Be Something Here" features a young Prince on background vocals and guitar. But even without his involvement The Lewis Connection is a solid piece of Twin Cities funk. Recommended.

• music label: P.A. Productions 2012

reviewed by Joey Coco 01/2013