Format: 3LPLabel: Strut RecordsYear: 2020Media Condition: NewSleeve/Cover Condition: New TRACKS: A1 Oneness Of Juju - African Rhythms (Album Version) A2 Oneness Of Juju - Follow Me A3 Oneness Of Juju - Nooky B1 Oneness Of Juju - River Luv Rite B2 Roach Om - No Name # III / Love Is... / My Nigger & Me B3 Juju - Nairobi / Chants C1 Oneness Of Juju - Chants / Don't Give Up C2 Oneness Of Juju - Be About The Future C3 Juju & The Space Rangers - Got To Be Right On It (Original 45 Version) D1 Oneness Of Juju - Space Jungle Funk D2 Oneness Of Juju - West Wind (Previously Unreleased) E1 Juju & The Space Rangers - Plastic (Original 45 Version) E2 Plunky & Oneness Of Juju - Every Way But Loose F1 Oneness Of Juju - Bootsie's Lament (Unreleased Version) F2 Juju - The End Of The Butterfly PERSONNEL:Balafon, Vocals – Babatunde Michael LeaBass, Electric Bass, Flute [Wood Flute] – Ken Shabala Congas – Rafael Solano Congas, Berimbau – SimboCongas, Drums – Babatunde Michael Lea Congas, Percussion – Richard Dick WatkinsCongas, Percussion, Vocals – Pedie MaplesPercussion, Vocals – Okyerema AsanteDrums – Andrea Thomas, Ronnie TolerDrums, Congas, Timbales – Kevin DavisDrums, Percussion – Tony GreenElectric Bass, Percussion, Vocals – Muzi BranchElectric Piano, Clavinet, Percussion, Vocals – Al Hammel RasulFlute – Bilal Sunni-AliFlute, Piccolo Flute – Lon MosheGuitar – Ras Mel Melvin Glover Jr.Keyboards – Nat LeeMarimba – Lon MoshePercussion – Babatunde Michael LeaPiano – Al Hammel Rasul, Brian Jackson, Joe BonnerPiano, Clavinet – William "Bill" JoynerPiano, Electric Piano, Synthesizer, Organ – Weldon HillPiano, Synthesizer – Timothy HallRhythm Guitar – Marcus MacklinTenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Percussion, Vocals – Plunky BranchTimbales – Alfredo MojicaTimbales, Shekere – Jalango NgomaVibraphone – Lon MosheViolin – Sister TeeVocals – Eka-Ete Jackie Lewis, Judy Spears, Veronica "Nilaja" Jones, Virtania "Cookie" TilleryStrut present a comprehensive 3LP compilation of the seminal Oneness Of Juju, led by Plunky J. Branch.“I saw myself as a cultural warrior,” explains Plunky. “We studied about Africa and tried to infuse our music with an African spirit.” Moving back to his hometown of Richmond, Virginia during the mid-‘70s, Plunky drew in a superb new group of musicians and vocalists and created the band’s new incarnation, Oneness Of Juju, retaining the African influence but fusing his sound with funk and R’n’B on the classic ‘African Rhythms’ album.“We realised that, if we put a backbeat to the Afro-Cuban rhythms, people in Richmond and Washington D.C. could be drawn into it; it didn't change anything about our message.” The change would lead to a series of enduring soul-jazz classics on Jimmy Gray’s Black Fire label, including ‘River Luv Rite’, ‘Plastic’ and ‘Don’t Give Up’ and their biggest crossover international hit, ‘Every Way But Loose’ in 1982.The band received renewed interest in their music during the mid-‘80s as Washington D.C.’s go-go innovators cited the band as a major influence and rare groove DJs revived their albums for London dancefloors.‘African Rhythms 1970-1982’ features a 12” sized 4pp booklet featuring rare photos and a comprehensive interview with Plunky Branch within liner notes by Chris Menist.
