Mandrill – Mandrill (1970-71)

Mandrill’s fantastic self-titled debut. Mandrill were blowing people away on the live circuit with their ability to switch from latin to gospel to rock to jazz to funk, sometimes all in one song! This album is essentially the live set they were doing at the time recorded in the studio. Formed by a trio of Panamanian-born, Brooklyn-bred brothers. Ric, Lou and Carlos Wilson and their neighbour Claude “Coffee” Cave with his Carribean roots, Bundie Cenac from the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rican drummer Charlie Padro, and Cuban guitarist Omar Mesa, naturally created a melting pot of styles, which is shown with this album. The 5 part “Peace and Love” is a perfect example. This album also contains a nice slice of funk/rock “Rollin’ On”.

Tracklisting:

1. Mandrill

2. Warning Blues

3. Symphonic Revolution

4. Rollin’ On

5. Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) – Movement I (Birth)

6. Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) – Movement II (Now)

7. Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) – Movement III (Time)

8. Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) – Movement IV (Encounter)

9. Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi) – Movement V (Beginning)

10. Chutney

Recorded at Electric Lady Studios New York, New York

Produced by Beau Ray Fleming and Mandrill