from the LP Sophisticated Funk, Chess Records, 1976I’ve always wondered whether or not an artist would prefer the accolades of critics and fellow artists as opposed to the huddled masses, basking in the glory of those who know rather than those who are now; I suppose ideally you’d want them both, but I also have to imagine that all the street-cred in the world may still leave one lusting after a little notoriety. ‘Brother’ Jack McDuff isn’t a name you commonly hear discussed amongst casual jazz fans, but those in the know are, most probably, already followers. McDuff’s legacy of modal and post-bop insanity speaks for itself, and much has been written about it, so I decided upon one of his more transitional albums from the mid ‘70s---and I’ll give you one guess as to why…this album cover undoubtedly wins my award for the most creative use of a chastity belt on an LP. A propulsive & frenzied number, this track sees Brother McDuff vamping pretty damn hard on a clavinet and two electric pianos, layered and processed a bit, and driven along by an army of percussion and “ahh ahh ahh’s”, presumably from some gorgeous Nubian princess that was slinking around the studio that day, perhaps our model from the cover; I like to think so anyways.
