Baltimore-born, O'Donel Levy was already well regarded as one of the best up-and-coming jazz guitarists at the time of Simba’s release in 1973. 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 Sonny Lester’s Groove Merchant. Produced by Lester himself and recorded over two back-to-back days of sessions in 1973, Simba features a who's who of ‘70s session players. The album features the legendary studio drummer Steve Gadd, Cecil Bridgewater on Flugelhorn, bass by Tony Levin and arrangements by Manny Albam.Every track on ‘Simba’ is a winner. 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. Tracklist:01. Bad, Bad, Simba02. Kilimanjaro Cookout03. Playhouse04. Sierra Lonely05. Sad, Sad, Simba06. Joni07. Nigerian Knights
