Oneness Of Juju “Space Jungle Luv”

Oneness Of Juju

“Space Jungle Luv”
( 2xLP Strut Records, Reissue, 2002 )
Catalog # STRUTLP 028

Tracklisting:
A1 River Luv Rite
A2 Follow Me
A3 Soul Love Now
B1 Space Jungle Funk
B2 The Connection
B3 Love’s Messenger
B4 Love’s Messenger (Instrumental)
C1 F# (Previously Unreleased)
C2 Bootsie’s Lament
D1 African Rhythem’s Chant
D2 Got To Be Right On It

Personnel & Credits:
J. Plunky Branch – Tenor sax, soprano sax, electric sax, flute, shekere, vocals
Eka-Ete Jackie Lewis – Lead and background vocals
P. Muzi Branch – bass, percussion
Ronnie Toler – Drums
Ras Melvin Glover – Guitar
Rafael Solano – Conga drums
Afredo Mojica – Timbales
Richard Watkins – congas, percussion
Joe Bonner – Piano
Lon Moshe – Vibraphone
Al Hammel Rasul – Piano, vocals
Babatunde Lea – Drums

Note:
This re-issue is fully re-mastered from source tapes.
Originally released on Strata East,1976

Review:
Space Jungle Luv is an odd combination of words but an apt description of the music, the lifestyle and the philosophical perspectives of Oneness of Juju in the era when this album was originally produced. “Space” represented freedom and a vast expanse of uncharted territory. “Jungle” is a reference to Africa as an original source of all earthly things. And “Luv” is stated as the overriding universal spiritual element flowing through the hearts of all mankind. Lofty sentiments indeed, but sentiments shared and inspired by the group’s musical mentors and idols. The music on this album makes obvious references to Miles Davis, Sun Ra, Pharaoh Sanders, Earth Wind & Fire, Charles Lloyd, Roland Kirk, Sarah Vaughn, John Coltrane, Fela Kuti and others. The songs are diverse in their textures, ranging from natural acoustic jazz instrumentation to electrified, effected, synthesized sound sources.

By Celo