Obscure Discovery: Albino Gorilla.

Artist: Albino Gorilla
Title: Detroit 1984
Year: 1970
Label: Kama Sutra
Format: Vinyl LP (Original)

I actually don’t like the music on this LP, however, I chose to post the album cover and tell you a little about the group.

Albino Gorilla was a studio project, they’re not a real group, just a bunch of Detroit studio musicians and vocalists who came together and produced this album. The entire record, with the exception of the instrumental interludes, are covers of Motown Records material (Psychadelic Shack, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, etc.). Although I appreciate the originality of the cover music, I wasn’t thrilled with their execution. To remake hit songs, and fail at making them sounding as good, defeats the purpose.

What makes this album worth adding to the collection, however, is the cover art and the pure intrigue. Simple, but very bold typography, a cool punch-out production technique (which allows for the Gorilla to be lifted up and used as a flap, giving the appearance of a die-cut flap), and finally, just the overall illustration of the albino gorilla, and the subtle silhouette of a very dark and desolate inner city Detroit in the background. I was totally drawn to this LP! Even more drawn in due to the fact that there is not much information floating around about this album…its mysterious vibe still has me. It’s also really cool that they decided to release this rare album under the name of a SUPER RARE existence of a gorilla, the albino gorilla.

I just wish the music was as good as the album cover.

This record was sampled by a few producers, and actually made for some pretty dope hip-hop records, check one of them out below…

Pete Rock – For the People

• Play