Search - Chocolate Jam Company :: Spread of the Future

Finest Chocolate Funk Spread - Believe me, you NEED this!

Andre Heeger | Germany | 06/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unbelievable - It's out! Praise the Funk Gods!

I still remember when this came out in 79, roughly at the same time as George Duke's Follow the Rainbow. I was so excited. I didn't know there was anybody else around loving chocolate as much as I did!

Think the best of end 70s Earth Wind and Fire, George Duke, add chocolate Funk only Ndugu and his gang could make and you got yourself one of the finest R&B/Funk fests of the era. Believe me: YOU NEED THIS!! It is unsurpassed.

A little intro: Leon Ndugu Chancler is a drummer (one of the finest around). Back in 79 he wanted to create his own sound so he called a few friends and together they recorded this fine gem.

Just a few names:

Al McKay, David T.Walker Guitars

Greg Phillinganes, Ronnie Foster, John Barnes, George Duke Keys.

Byron Miller Bass

Ndugu, Virginia Ayers and Leo Miller Vocals

Bobby Bryant, Ray Brown, Michael Harris, George Bohannon and others Brass

Fred Jackson, Don Myrick, Ernie Watts, Gerald Albright, Bill Green Woodwinds

and of course the master himself on anything that needs beating.

As to Funk, I'm a purist. To me the only true funketeers are George Clinton with his Parliament Funkadelic gangs and James Brown (I put the Master as a second only because he made music for such a long time and over the years changed his styles).

Everything else is a fusion with other styles.

So is this. BUT it IS truly special. The horns and keys have the finest melodies whereas the drums, vocals, bass and guitars do the funkin' thing.

The stompin' Spread of the Future (part of the Suite Chocolate) is the finest example on this one.

The horns are creative as can be (and for once without Jerry Hey and his Seawind gang who were about everywhere at the time. Don't misunderstand me, they were good, but so were many others). These here are some of the best!!!

You need a ballad, don't worry, it's there, and what a beauty it is: Just As You Are. Mid tempo greats: The Feeling (aah, what a sound!) or This Time (ooooh baby, this hits me!) Terrific vocals!

The Chocolate Jam made another album following this one. It's o.k. but doesn't come close to this.

This was (and still is) one of the finest albums around.

Get it and let Ndugu teach you some Chocolate Jammin'!"