This is a bright, explosive, progressive debut. The band does plenty of afro-cuban jams, but they also venture into jazz and do a prog-rock suite on the second side of the album. A great interesting debut, indeed....
Mandrill - Mandrill Is(1972)
Mandrill were part of the fusion movement of the early seventies - undervalued until this day. Though they recall other bands - Santana, Tower of Power, War come to mind - Mandrill did have their own unique way of blending the ingredients. On Mandrill is, their second album, there´s a Prog-Rock aspect adding to their Latin Funk core. Add some Jazz influences and a touch of psychedelica, and you have a rich, yet not over-spiced brew.