Get Into Idris Muhammad, One of the Greatest Soul Jazz Artists

ASAKI

Jan 30, 2021

edited

Born in NOLA in the 13th Ward, where jazz and soul artists like The Neville Brothers had been born and had flourished in the local music scene, Idris Muhammad is one of my favorite jazz artists of all time. Even though he's worked with acts like Curtis Mayfield, Jerry Butler, Lou Donaldson, George Coleman, and so many more, he's not nearly as talked about for some reason.

Here, I'll give three projects that really solidify him as the best to ever play the drums in jazz, and one of my personal favorite band leaders.

1. Turn This Mutha Out (1977)

His most popular project, and his most accessible. Instead of pure jazz (which there is a lot of in this album), Muhammad goes a little bit left and incorporates a lot of R&B and pop elements in his composition and instrumentation. You'll probably know the biggest hits to come off this album-- "Could Heaven Ever Be Like This?" and the title track, because they're pretty often sampled and heard. A great project to get used to Idris Muhammad's crazy versatility in the jazz sphere.

2. Peace and Rhythm (1971)

My personal favorite project of his. Unlike Turn This Mutha Out, Peace and Rhythm is full pedal-to-the-metal soul jazz, but with a revolutionary twist that would basically be the progenitor of the ambient house genre. Spacey, long-winded compositions that were fitted with wind and reed instruments galore, flowing between soul and emptiness. It's a sound that's common in jazz today, but not many realize that Idris Muhammad essentially birthed it.

3. House of the Rising Sun (1976)

If you're a fan of jazz, you probably have already heard about this project. You've probably already listened to it. House of the Rising Sun is legendary-- featuring one of my favorite lineups to ever hit a jazz album. Still tinged with soul, the jazz is chock full of heavy funk and bop influences. A multitude of sounds and expressions, from the Chopin-interpolated "Theme for New York City", to a cover of a Brazilian jazz track "Bahia", House of the Rising Sun is one of the most versatile flexes of pure jazz skills and expressions during an era where the genre was already flourishing.

hope you guys like the write-ups this time If you don't have time to listen to the albums all the way (even though they're pretty short), I put my favorite track for each one. Hopefully those who haven't delved deep into Idris Muhammad are able to get into him, and those who already have get a chance to relisten to this legend.