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Idris Muhammad started out a drummer/percussionist, his first recording being Fats Domino’s hit single ‘Blueberry Hill’ in 1956. He also played with the likes of Sam Cooke, Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions. Soon his reputation grew such that he earned a recording gig with the legendary Jazz alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson, with whom he contributed some of the funkiest drum patterns of the late 60’s. His impeccable sense of timing made Idris a natural for the drum chair in the upbeat Soul Jazz of that period. Also he was frequently in Hammond organ combos to which his energetic style was especially suited. Muhammad played with nearly all the great Hammond players – Charles Earland, Lonnie Smith, Leon Spencer, Reuben Wilson and more besides, as well as Donaldson’s sidemen like George Benson and Melvin Sparks.
Idris Muhammad recorded this classic Jazz-Funk album ‘Turn This Mutha Out’ in 1977 for the Kudu label. Some great session musicians accompanied him and the album has that David Matthews signature Disco-Jazz-Funk sound. It was well received in the UK most notably for the opening track ‘Could Heaven Ever Be Like This’, an undisputed classic. Idris and Wilbur Bascomb on bass create the perfect bedrock for Mike Brecker on Tenor Sax, Hiram Bullock on Guitar and Cliff Carter on Synthesizer to solo above, topped by Frank Floyd’s vocals. It has been sampled at least seventeen times, most notably by Jamiroquai and Drake. ‘Turn This Mutha Out’ also has many other tracks of note. ‘Camby Bolongo’ is a delightful percussion heavy rhythmic instrumental featuring Randy Brecker on Trumpet and Jeremy Steig on flute. ‘Crab Apple’ is a wonderfully funky track with a great bass line and groove that has found favour with samplers having been used to create at least nineteen new Hip Hop and R&B tracks. ‘Moon Hymn’ is a beautiful ethereal track featuring David Tofani on Soprano Sax, that develops into a mid tempo funky groove as Ronnie Cuber’s Baritone Sax appears, then shifts back to serenity. Jeremy Steig and Guitarist Eric Gale contribute heavily to the funky album closer ‘Say What’ that has also come to samplers attention. We are delighted to present this album on CD for the first time anywhere in the world. |
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