{"product_id":"lafayette-afro-rock-band-malik","title":"Lafayette Afro Rock Band - Malik","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrut proudly presents the first official remastered reissue of Lafayette Afro Rock Band's elusive funk\/Afro original album, 'Malik,' originally released in 1974.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 1971, an undocumented seven-member Afro-American ensemble known as the Bobby Boyd Congress made a transformative journey from the United States to France. Bandleader Frank Abel recollects, \"We sensed that the soul and funk market was saturated back home, and our original plan was a brief 6-month stint in Paris. Surprisingly, we ended up staying for a decade.\" Upon lead singer Bobby Boyd's return to the U.S., the group rebranded as Ice and crossed paths with independent producer Pierre Jaubert, a seasoned studio professional with credits on groundbreaking recordings alongside Charles Mingus, John Lee Hooker, and Archie Shepp, among others.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrawing inspiration from Motown's work ethic, Jaubert initiated regular rehearsals with Ice. He recalled, \"I didn't want to mimic Berry, but with seven talented musicians collaborating daily, something unique emerged.\" The band, residing in Paris and immersed in the African-dominated Barbesse district, began infusing African elements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003einto their music frequently performing with Paris-dwelling Camaroonian and legendary composer Manu Dibango.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnder the new moniker Lafayette Afro Rock Band, the group's music transitioned to predominantly instrumental compositions, featuring a denser Afro-funk sound. Their inaugural recording with the new name, 'Soul Makossa,' included a compelling rendition of Dibango's classic and the impactful break in 'Hihache.' The subsequent release a year\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003elater, 'Malik,' refined their sound with the percussive Afro party jam 'Conga,' the atmospheric vocoder and piano-led piece 'Djungi,' and the robust funk of 'Darkest Light.'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDespite a limited impact upon its initial release, 'Malik' found appreciation as hip-hop culture flourished in the '80s, establishing itself as a rich source of samples and riffs. 'Conga' was featured in the 'Ultimate Breaks And Beats' series, while the opening horn line from 'Darkest Light' became a pivotal hip-hop motif, employed by Jay-Z, Public Enemy, Wreckx 'N' Effect, and many others.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis remastered reissue, the first of its kind, meticulously crafted by The Carvery from the original tapes, showcases the album in its entirety and includes the full original artwork.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"South Records Ltd","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":64322889417081,"sku":null,"price":16.09,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0973\/1463\/6153\/files\/a2389767235_10_77998dcf-ff51-4580-8dbf-2595c6e20a20.webp?v=1787903796","url":"https:\/\/vinyl-relic.com\/products\/lafayette-afro-rock-band-malik","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}