Levy, O'Donel: Simba LP

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Proudly presenting a new series of Mr Bongo reissues exploring the incredible back catalogue of Sonny Lester's iconic Groove Merchant record label. First up, the spellbinding funk-fuelled, soul jazz album ‘Simba’, by guitar maestro O'Donel Levy. Baltimore-born, Levy was already well regarded as one of the best up-and-coming jazz guitarists at the time of the release of "Simba". Having toured with George Benson and Jimmy McGriff, as well as featuring on McGriff's "Black Pearl" album on Blue Note, he went on to sign with Groove Merchant. Produced by Lester and recorded over two back-to-back days of sessions in 1973, "Simba" features a who's who of 1970s session players. The album features the legendary studio drummer Steve Gadd, Cecil Bridgewater on flugelhorn, bass by Tony Levin, and arrangements by Manny Albam. A masterclass in tight yet effortlessly funk-driven rhythms, the tracks showcase these musicians at their zenith. As with CTI Recordings of the same era, the feel and textures of Sonny Lester's productions have that pre-emptive, hip-hop aesthetic, which later producers would rework and reimagine. This album is expertly balanced, deftly arranged and magically executed, ebbing and flowing with a cool buoyancy that just grooves and grooves.