Blue Mitchell “Bantu Village”

Blue Mitchell

“Bantu Village”
( LP Blue Note Records, 1969 )
Catalog # BST 84324

Tracklisting:
A1 – Hnic
A2 – Flat Backing
A3 – Na Ta Ka
B1 – Heads Down
B2 – Bantu Village
B3 – Blue Dashiki
B4 – Bush Girl

Credits:
Bass – Bob West , Wilton Felder
Congas – Alan Estes , King Errisson
Drums – John Guerin , Paul Humphrey
Flute – Buddy Collette
Guitar – Al Vescovo , Freddie Robinson
Percussion, Piano – Dee Ervin , Monk Higgins
Saxophone [Alto], Flute – Bill Green
Saxophone [Tenor] – Plas Johnson
Trombone – Charles Loper
Trumpet – Blue Mitchell , Bobby Bryant

Review:
One of the funkiest albums ever on Blue Note a set that mixes the trumpet talents of Blue Mitchell with some killer backings from Monk Higgins all in a groove that more gritty edges than the best funky soundtracks of the time! Higgins keeps the backings full, but always quite lean fusing all elements together into a sharp, tight rhythm that steps along with some of the slight African touches you might guess from the title a groove that’s not really that authentic, but which resonates with some of the best inspirations that Hugh Masekela was bringing to American music at the time. And while the album might be an attempt to cash in on Masekela’s groove The feel here is really quite different overall as tracks are nicely stretched out, with plenty of room for jazzy solo work and a groove that’s much harder overall, thanks to Higgins! Other players include Freddy Robinson on guitar, Wilton Felder on bass, Paul Humphrey on drums, and Plas Johnson on tenor.

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By Celo