Review / One of the most consistent jazz/funk fusion groups throughout the 70′s, The Blackbyrds hold it down once again with this 1977 release, Action. This record is flooded with some amazing harmonies, and deep grooves. Nothing out of the norm for these guys, however, there are a few tracks on the record that venture into the midnight grooves space…which was a nice surprise. But the major pluses here were the unified harmonies, and (continued) synthesizer experimentation by group leader Kevin Toney. He took their sound to a higher level with each release. Enjoy…

Design / This is one of the best covers I own (in the photography realm, not the typography). I like the composition of the group at the starting line, and can’t help but to appreciate the essence of the time period through the sneakers, wristbands, headbands, nappy fro’s, eyeglasses, etc. Visually, it speaks to the word “Action” without any of them actually being in physical motion, they’re all in a static state. However, one can feel the momentum building up, leading to the action thats about to ensue.

Info / Artist: The Blackbyrds / Album: Action / Year: 1977 / Label: Fantasy

The Blackbyrds / Mysterious Vibes

• The Blackbyrds - “Mysterious Vibes”

The Blackbyrds / Dreaming About You

• The Blackbyrds - “Dreaming About You”

The Blackbyrds / Soft & Easy

• The Blackbyrds - “Soft & Easy”

Review / Composer David Axelrod doesn’t disappoint with his debut release, 1968′s Song of Innocence. Axelrod’s albums generally tend to be one long theme, broken down into segments. This particular album is heavy on drum breaks, strings and bass guitar, and it carries on as such all the way through. The sound is funky, dirty, but with a little rock influence sprinkled in from time to time. This record is ahead of its time, I’m still amazed that it was recorded in 1968. Definitely one of my top Axelrod LP’s.

Design / The kaleidoscope is always an interesting solution for a cover design, the result will definitely be visually appealing. I really like the symmetry that it creates, horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. Having the art in these bright colors, within a circle, on black really help the image to pop…which in turn makes this a stronger piece of art. Two thumbs up, this is one of my favorite covers.

Info / Artist: David Axelrod / Album: Song of Innocence / Year: 1968 / Label: Capitol

David Axelrod / Holy Thursday

• David Axelrod - “Holy Thursday”

David Axelrod / Urizen

• David Axelrod - “Urizen”

David Axelrod / Song of Innocence

• David Axelrod - “Song of Innocence”

Review / Quirky and obscure, but definitely some good music on this album by Josefa Vobruby, from the Czech Republic. There are  a variety of sounds on this record, influenced from American jazz, funk, and even some classical music. It’s a decent listen, but the cover design puts this one over the top for me.

Design / One of the best covers I’ve ever seen! Odd, but super cool. The album title “Variace” translates to “Variation”, so the two sets of headphones could be a visual for that metaphor, however, I’ve yet to figure out the use of the orange. Josefa Vobruby peeking through the side window giving the nod and fist is a nice touch. The type is simple and  clean, looks to be a tightly-kerned Helvetica.

Info / Artist: Josefa Vobruby / Album: Variace / Year: 1974 / Label: Supraphon

Josefa Vobruby / Let Cmel†ka

• Josefa Vorbruby - “Let Cmel†ka”

Josefa Vobruby / Preludium Cis Moll

• Josefa Vorbruby - “Preludium Cis Moll”

Review / This album marks the change in Roy Ayers’ sound, it also marks the beginning of the Ubiquity era. Ubiquity was his new band, together they created a sound that was never duplicated (in my humble opinion). This LP reflects the sound of jazz, funk, and a little soul…it’s serious in its approach, and packed with nothing but hardcore grooves. It’s also known that on this record, for the first time, Roy Ayers used the fuzz on his vibraphone to create an effect that had never been heard before, the fuzz was known mainly for being used with guitars at the time…so that experiment was not only successful in its output, but it was innovative and groundbreaking as well.

Design / Ubiquity…present, appearing, or found everywhere. I think this cover, in part, just about sums up the definition of the word. I’m always a fan of 70′s cover design that uses tricky photo techniques, simply because these effects were created without the use of computers/photoshop. But this is an intriguing cover overall, from the overlapping repeat imagery, to the slanted typography (which appears to be Futura Extra Bold). The intense stare given off by Ayers in the portrait clues us in to the fact that this will be a statement album. And it totally was.

Info / Artist: Roy Ayers / Album: Ubiquity / Year: 1971 / Label: Polydor

Roy Ayers / Pretty Brown Skin

• Roy Ayers - “Pretty Brown Skin”

Roy Ayers / Love

• Roy Ayers - “Love”

Roy Ayers / Hummin’

• Roy Ayers - “Hummin'”

Review / Funky, soulful, and raw! Those are the words that come to mind when I think about this lp from Kool & the Gang, Music is the Message. As I always say when reviewing one of their albums, anything that they released on the De-Lite records imprint was a masterpiece, without question. On this particular album one can begin to hear the band experimenting with their instruments a bit more, pushing the boundaries of their sound. This record gets my triple stamp of approval in every category, from arrangements, to the improvisational element that it delivers at times, to the grit, and finally, to that real life element that they portray in their lyrics and ad-libs.

Design / Who wouldn’t like this cover? They’ve carved their name into a block of ice (obviously by illustration, but you get the point). It’s everything that it needs to be…bold, eye-catching, and vibrant! Another experiment in the hand-drawn type department, for the win. Definitely one of my favorite covers.

Info / Artist: Kool & the Gang / Album: Music is the Message / Year: 1972 / Label: De-Lite

Kool & the Gang / Music is the Message

• Kool & the Gang - “Music is the Message”

Kool & the Gang / Soul Vibration

• Kool & the Gang - “Soul Vibration”

Kool & the Gang / Life Is What You Make It

• Kool & the Gang - “Life is what you Make It”

Kool & the Gang / Electric Frog

• Kool & the Gang - “Electric Frog”

Review
This is Masterfleet’s one and only album, and rightfully so…they weren’t that good of a group. Less than average arrangements, mediocre writing, and more fluff than substance on this album. Another important thing is that they didn’t sound that original, just kinda like a combination of different 70′s groups. I generally don’t post records on my blog that I’m not too keen on, however, there’s one KILLER track on this LP that I needed to share with you all. Have a listen…

Check out the sound!

Let Love Stand

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Design
This album cover is phenomenal! I tend to gravitate to covers that visually represent the title of the album. High on the Sea, and the members of the group are walking on water…rising above…surfacing, etc. (which makes perfect sense, this being their debut album and all). It’s straight-forward in approach, but they put an abstract spin on it with the silver body paint and the shiny (almost foil-like) body wraps…and they seem to be holding masks as well. The concept, composition, color manipulation and tension are gelling nicely here…

Another MAJOR plus is the typography. The font chosen for “MASTERFLEET” is awesome, and the profile silhouettes stepped in between the letterforms put this lockup over the top. The physical cover actually uses a metallic ink for the masthead, and that helps bring it off of the surface a little. Production techniques always put the icing on the cake.

Review
Eddie Hazel had been a major part of Parliament Funkadelic at one point in his career, playing lead guitar. So his solo debut LP had that vibe to it, that overall P-Funk sound. It’s a pretty cool album, with a spacey funk feel to it. I’m not crazy about all of the music here, it tends to get a bit repetitive at times. But the sound quality and skill is right on. Enjoy…

Check out the sound!

Frantic Moment

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Physical Love

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California Dreamin’ (Reprise)

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Design
I’m always a fan of pre-photoshop collage covers. This one is interesting to say the least. Very colorful and energetic. The subject matter is all over the place, but that is what makes it cool, there’s a little bit of everything here. Composition plays a major role in making something like this work, like where to place the elements of the collage, what types of images to use, etc.

The type is super strong, holding its own at the top of the cover, if you squint, the most important elements still stands out….the name of the artist! Two thumbs up.

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Additional info on Eddie Hazel

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

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Review
One of the most consistent bands in the history of music, Kool & the Gang deliver a great LP once again! The album is primarily a funk, party type of vibe, however, the jazz element is brought to life in the title track “Wild & Peaceful” (which happens to be an AMAZING piece of music). The thing that always sticks out most about this groups music, is their unique ability to arrange songs, sounds simple…but its not. The way the music is written and performed is a thing of beauty, it’s timeless music, it’s special music. This is easily one of my favorite albums from these guys. Enjoy…

Check out the sound!

Hollywood Swinging

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Jungle Boogie

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Funky Stuff

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Wild and Peaceful

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Design
I absolutely love this cover! The painting has an intentionally abstracted perspective, but a really unique illustration style overall. It also takes the title of the LP very seriously…the composition is made up of several wild animals (animals that typically cannot co-exist), living together peacefully within their environment. The colors are sort of dim overall, but that adds a nice warmth to the piece…which works very nicely with the title track (which I’ve uploaded for your listening pleasure above). Another really nice element is the choice of type! Seeing as though the art is pretty busy, the type needed to find a way to live on the page…the protruding knockout lettering did the trick. Adding a slight arch to the type helps it stand on its own as well. Minor detail like that can go a long way…it’s all about detail, ALWAYS.

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Additional info on Kool & the Gang