Now-Again present a reissue of Oneness of Juju's Afro-jazz classic African Rhythms, originally released on Black Fire in 1975..
From a trailblazing band featuring members well-versed in jazz, funk, gospel, and African music, the debut album by the Oneness of Juju displayed a group playing with the dexterity of Kool & the Gang, the forward-thinking musical ideas of Herbie Hancock, and the social consciousness of Gil Scott-Heron. The title track is fiercely kinetic, with vocal choruses prodding listeners to dance and Plunky's echo-drenched saxophone floating serenely over the top of a funky space-jazz backing. Elsewhere, the band lapses into a few dated mid-'70s arrangements (reminiscent of Pharoah Sanders, Lonnie Liston Smith, etc.), but the playing is always wonderful -- Plunky especially distinguishes himself in many different modes -- and the production is crystalline. "Don't Give Up" and "Liberation Dues" are two other highlights, with positive-minded chants and funky arrangements.
| A1 | African Rhythms |
| A2 | Kazi |
| A3 | Funky Wood |
| A4 | Tarishi |
| A5 | Mashariki |
| B1 | Chants |
| B2 | Don't Give Up |
| B3 | Incognito |
| B4 | Poo Too |
| B5 | Liberation Dues |
