O'DONEL LEVY — Simba (review)

O'DONEL LEVY — Simba album cover Album · 1973 · Soul Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Rokukai
For many, "Simba" is their holy grail. A stout synthesis of jazz, funk, and soul, "Simba" has few peers from the '70's scene. The leadoff track is an absolute monster, an classic nonpareil that can be put first on any souljazz or jazzfunk compilation.

Arranged and supervised by Manny Albam, Levy's guitar shines through the beautiful strings and funky vamps and punchy horns. The title track and "Playhouse" are really the only up tempo songs on the album, the funk smokers. The others pieces are moody, sometimes introspective, always lovely. The song names are perfect for the setting--"Kilimanjaro Cookout" "Sierra Lonely" and "Nigerian Knights" are a few examples, and "Sad, Sad Simba" makes a nice counter to "Bad Bad Simba".

The top of the heap and Levy's finest 37 minutes.
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