Nothing primitif about this jazz, because the music has a really haunting feel – one that's filled with sophisticated changes and compelling instrumentation – served up in ways that are unlike anything else we can think of! Side one of the record features the combo of percussionist Rupert Clemendore, who also plays vibes on the record – with Bert Innis on piano, Frankie Francis on sax, and Les Sargeant on guitar – all in a set of tunes that skittishly groove on angular rhythms, yet also have a sense of warmth as well. Titles include "Bongo Mood", "We Mambo", "Princess Charming", and "The Fly". Side two features equally amazing music from the group of bassist John Buddy Williams – a combo with lots of heavy percussion and a definite Latin bent in the rhythms, plus "doublers" who play either sax or clarinet at the same time – making for a really wide, spread-apart sound as they snake through the melodies! These tracks were all recorded live, with a really festive feel – and titles include "Alma Llanera", "She Pon Top", "Shoemaker Shop", "Man In
Dey", and "Last Night The Landlord Nearly Killed Me".
(Special limited CD – pressed up for us by the Smithsonian Folkways label. Comes with original cover artwork, and the CD also features a PDF file with the original liner notes and other materials from the original record release.)