MANDRILL

[Keith RS]

Mandrill is still one of my all time favorite groups. The Wilson Bros.(Carlos, Lou, and Rick) were and still are the core of this band. The multi-talented Madrill played at the Robin Hood Dell in Philly last summer. One of the best shows I ever saw. Their Panaminian roots come out loud and clear in their music.

I have been able to get most of their music on CD. I have "Mandrill"(1970), "Mandrill Is"(1972), "Composite Truth"(1972), "Just Outside of Town"(1973). I also have an anthology on the Polydor label that is a double cd.

Two that I don't have on cd are, "Mandrill Land"(1974), and "Solid"(1975). The anthology has some tracks from "Mandrill Land" but nothing from "Solid". I wonder if anybody out there knows how to get a hold of these. I had these on vinyl but they are long lost.

Anyway, here's a list of some of my favorite songs by them:

Ape is High
Hagalo
Fencewalk
Solid
Symphonic Revolution
Mango Meat
Cohelo
I Refuse to Smile
Git it All
Positive Thing
Road to Love
Folks on the Hill
Can You Get It
House of Wood
8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

[Forrrce]

As far as I know, most of Mandrill's LPs didn't make it to CD. I like the group a lot myself, but usually find their albums a bit patchy. I still have them all, anyway!
I would really like the 12" EP on United Artists, from the 'Beast From The East' LP, but never see the damned thing.

A few classic Mandrill moments for me:

'Peck Ya Neck'
'Wind On Horseback'
'Honey Bun'
'Feelng Good'
'Too Late'
'Put Your Money Where The Funk Is' (for me, their last great track)
'Believe In You'

[SandraDee]

My favourite Mandrill track is 'Stay Tonight' from '78. The rest of the LP is crud but this track is BRILLIANT!

[Forrrce]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

My favourite Mandrill track is 'Stay Tonight' from '78. The rest of the LP is crud but this track is BRILLIANT!

This is a new track to me, Steely. Which LP is it from - 'New Worlds'?

[Pete B]

As a disco lover I'm feelin "Love Attack" - more the album mix than the 12" though. Respect to Forrrce for checking the overlooked "Feelin Good" too.

[SandraDee]

Sorry Forrrce, I didnt see your question 'til now; yes you're right, the track I liked is from 'New Worlds'.

[r&b]

house of wood is my favorite from mandrill,but all of thier work is good!

[Disco Funk]

While I'm a huuuge fan of funk, I just never got into Mandrill. It's just one of those things. I love Fencewalk. But my favourite cut by them is Fat City Strut. The wah wah effect on the clavinet and electric piano, that driving groove they play is hardcore. I thought the latin breakdown middle section was a nice touch. Too bad the song is too short.

I posted a link in the other board to a Youtube video of their Soul Train performance doing Hang Loose. After watching that, I realized what I didn't like about them - their long, rock oriented guitar instrumental sections. The vocal/verse sections are funky, but they get into those long drawn out and directionless rock arrangements. I'm not dissing the rock guitar sound, because I think it can work in a funk song, like the way the Isley Brothers used it in their mid-70s output.

Disco Funk

[DISCODISK]

favourite mandrill club cut-'never die' [polydor] :P