Jazz · GB

Mandingo

High-octane 1970s exotica where cinematic brass meets heavy Afro-funk rhythms. Explosive, percussion-heavy jazz fusion for high-energy nights.

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Intro

Mandingo is a sonic explosion that feels like a 1970s action movie set in a technicolor dream of West Africa. It is loud, proud, and relentlessly rhythmic, characterized by massive brass sections that hit with the force of a freight train and percussion layers that never seem to quit. The music occupies a strange, wonderful space between the polished precision of British session musicians and the raw, unbridled energy of psychedelic rock and Afrobeat.

What truly sets this project apart is the sheer maximalism of the production. While other jazz-funk acts of the era were stripping things back, Geoff Love and Norman Newell were adding more: more fuzz guitar, more Moog synthesizers, and more drums. It is exotica that grew teeth and learned to groove, trading the gentle swaying of palm trees for the grit and heat of a high-speed chase through an urban jungle.

New listeners should dive straight into 'The Primeval Rhythm of Life'. It serves as the perfect manifesto for the project, showcasing the signature blend of tribal rhythms and progressive studio wizardry. It is music designed to be played at high volume, demanding your full attention and making it impossible to stay still.

Our Catalog4 Albums · 1973 · 1975
Known ForWeighted across the artist's discography. Tap a trait for examples.
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