Joe Thomas - "Ebony Grandfather" 1971

Sorry for the infrequent posts, but slowly I am getting some extra time to post a few more rare recordings (I say rare, when it has never been published in digital format)

The brief career of this artist, one of four different horn players in jazz named Joe Thomas, can be basically described as symposium on funky flute. He was certainly not the only flautist huffing and puffing over strong backbeats in the '70s and '80s, the era's popular players in this style including Herbie Mann, and Hubert Laws. Thomas' masterwork in this genre might be considered to be "Funky Fever," more than ten minutes of jamming that has been described as "jazzy disco funk boogie," complete with a vocal chorus that chants "I've got this funky, funky fever."

My first exposure to Thomas was in the disco craze of the late 70's when he produced "Plato's Retreat"  in 1978 which was a discotheque and swingers club in Manhattan combined in one!

You can listen to it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl30GF_CalE

As far as Thomas discography, I believe that this is his first LP release in 1971.  It's somewhat rare and I was lucky to come across a sealed never played LP.  My favorite track from this LP 'Fancy Fanny' was actually a fun, breezy Bossa number for people who don't like the flute. One of the album's better numbers and a good place to see Thomas showcasing his technical skills - wow, hyper-speed flute !. Who would have thought. rating: ***** stars

Please sit back and roll yourself back to the funky jazz era from 1971!!

Track listing: 

(Side 1) 

1.) Talk To Me (instrumental) (J. Senica) - 3:10

2.) Chitlins And Cuchifritos (instrumental (Buddy Scott - Joe Thomas) - 2:503.) Ebony Godfather (instrumental) (Buddy Scott - Joe Thomas) - 4:12 

4.) Fancy Fanny (instrumental) (Buddy Scott - Joe Thomas) - 3:22 

5.) Be Anything Be Mine (instrumental) (I. Gordon) - 3:14 

(Side 2) 

1.) Every Brother Ain't A Brother (instrumental) (Gary Byrd) - 6:00

2.) Sundown Express (instrumental) (C. Walton) - 3:05

3.) Love (instrumental) Kaempert - Gambler) - 3:18