“Aufu Oodu” by Ramsey Lewis

“Aufu Oodu” is one of the baddest fusion cuts ever committed to wax. The wicked, hair-raising groove effectively melds funk, jazz and African influences. Ron Harris lays down a ferocious bass line, while the dynamic horn section blasts the funk level to the stratosphere. Ramsey Lewis lets loose with an electrifying synthesizer solo, and it’s followed up by Derf Reklaw-Raheem’s brilliant flute work. Also, the funky guitar riffs help further deepen the groove.

The track features Earth, Wind & Fire-esque lyrics. It's an entreaty to a funky witch doctor named Aufu Oodu to create a powerful potion that will spread happiness, peace, love and positivity throughout the world. Its theme is similar to EWF’s song “Jupiter,” but instead of an extraterrestrial messenger of peace, it’s a mystical healer who utilizes voodoo for the good of humanity.

“Aufu Oodu” was written by Derf Reklaw-Raheem. It’s a track from jazz legend Ramsey Lewis’ 1976 album Salongo, which was released on Columbia Records. The LP was co-produced by Maurice White and Charles Stepney. The collection is a satisfying sonic stew of funk, jazz, Latin, soul and African influences. It climbed to #7 on Billboard’s Top Jazz Album chart and peaked at #17 on Billboard's R&B album chart.

The players on the album were Ramsey Lewis (piano, electric piano, keyboards), Ron Harris (electric bass), Steve Cobb (drums, vocals), Jimmy Bryant (clavinet), Derf Reklaw-Raheem (flute, percussion, vocals), Maurice White (drums, timbales, vocals), Don Myrick (tenor saxophone), Larry Dunn (keyboards), Byron Gregory (electric and acoustic guitar), Verdine White (bass, vocals), Al McKay (guitar), George Bohanon (trombone), Harvey Mason (drums), Bobby Bryant (trumpet), Ernie Watts (saxophone), John Lind (background vocals), Janice Gower (concertmaster, violin), Jerry Richardson (saxophone), Oscar Brashear (trumpet), Fred Jackson (saxophone), Leon “Ndugu” Chancler (drums) and Tang (vocals).

Maurice White and Ramsey Lewis enjoyed a very productive musical relationship. Before forming Earth, Wind & Fire, White played drums for the Ramsey Lewis Trio for nearly three years. And he later wrote and produced the title track for Lewis’ smash album Sun Goddess (1974). EWF would sometimes perform “Sun Goddess” in concert. The band’s triple-platinum double-live album Gratitude (1975) contains a majestic live performance of the song. 

"Aufu Oodu" at Amazon

Review of Alissia Benveniste’s Debut EP Back To The Funkture

Bassist/songwriter/producer Alissia Benveniste released her debut EP Back To The Funkture in 2016. The six-song collection showcases Benveniste’s tremendous bass chops and strong songwriting and production skills. Back To The Funkture is a fitting title because this EP is pure funk from start to finish. The title track is a killer groove that features a fantastic horn arrangement by multiple Grammy-winning trumpeter and arranger Philip Lassiter. He and the funk band Lettuce’s horn section contribute their considerable talents to the track. And Benveniste brings the fire on bass.  

The second track listed on the EP is the irresistible funk groove “On The Go,” which boasts some sweet chicken-scratch guitar licks and super-dope bass work from Benveniste.

A particularly strong cut from the collection is the high-voltage “Take Off.” Benveniste serves up some nasty bass on this funky Prince-flavored jam. The talented bassist thumps and plucks up a storm here. “Take Off” is followed by the equally funky “Get Down.” This wicked funk groove features some incredible horn charts and more superb bass work from Benveniste.

The inspirational gospel-tinged “Holdin’ On” is definitely an EP highlight. The track features a marvelous vocal arrangement and some dazzling horn work. And the soulful organ infuses some church into the groove. 

Benveniste closes out the EP with the delectably funky “Let It Out.” This badass groove is impeccably arranged and performed. The video of the musician's live performance of the song at her alma mater Berklee College of Music currently has over five million views at Youtube.

For reasons unknown, Benveniste later canceled the EP and removed it from all of her online platforms. 

Back To The Funkture full EP

Related blog entry: Funkiest Female Bass Players

“Stellar Fungk” by Slave

 In 1978, Dayton groove masters Slave served up another helping of their dynamic brand of funk with the hot track “Stellar Fungk.” Mark “The Hansolor" Adams anchors the groove with a powerful bass line, and guitarist Danny Webster unleashes some blazing fretboard magic. The track features spectacular horn charts and some smooth synth and keyboard work. And the talkbox parts give the track its galactic-funk interstellar vibe.

“Stellar Fungk” was a single from Slave’s third album The Concept (1978). The song peaked at #14 on the R&B singles chart. The album also performed well on the R&B charts, climbing to #11. The collection was produced by Jeff Dixon and released on Cotillion Records, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records.

The full band lineup for The Concept was Stephen C. Washington (trumpet, percussion and background vocals), Mark “Drac” Hicks (lead and rhythm guitar, background vocals), Tom “Tiny” Dozier (drums), Danny Webster (lead and rhythm guitar; lead and background vocals), Floyd “The Brother Slide” Miller (trumpet, trombone, percussion, lead and background vocals), Carter Bradley (keyboards), Mark “The Hansolor” Adams (bass, vocals and percussion), Orion "Bimmy" Wilhoite (alto and tenor saxophone), Tom Lockett Jr. (tenor and alto saxophone, keyboards), Steve Arrington (drums, percussion), Starleana Young (vocals). This was Slave’s first album to include Young and Arrington, who would eventually become lead singer of the band.

“Stellar Fungk” was written by Webster, Adams, Hicks, Washington and Arrington.

"Stellar Fungk" at Amazon

Related blog entry: Slave Burned Up the Charts And Filled Dance Floors With Hit "Slide"

“100 Watts of Funky” by Jesse Johnson

With a bold title like “100 Watts of Funky,” you better make damn sure that track is as funky as humanly possible. And Jesse Johnson definitely delivered on the promise of the title–and then some. This is one filthy groove. It’s the type of funk that automatically makes you go into ugly stank-face mode as soon as it comes on. This electrifying funk assault features nasty rhythm guitar licks, heavy bass and some sizzling sax work from Eddie Mininfield and David Cochrane. And singers Kim Riley and Sue Ann Carwell provide some soulful support on the background vocals.

Johnson wrote and produced “100 Watts of Funky.” And he played all the instruments except for the horn parts. The track is from his 2009 album release Verbal Penetration Vol 1 & 2, a criminally underappreciated collection of stellar funk, R&B, rock and blues tracks. It's the only solo album he has released so far this century. However, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been keeping busy. He joined D’Angelo’s band, The Vanguard, in late 2011 after leaving The Time for good. Johnson has been recording and touring with D’Angelo ever since. Additionally, he played on D’Angelo’s Grammy-winning album Black Messiah (2014).

Verbal Penetration at Amazon

Related blog entry: "Love Struck" by Jesse Johnson