CREED'S HACIENDA

Power of Soul
Idris Muhammad

Drummer Idris Muhammad was born in New Orleans and cut his teeth with Larry Williams' group, recording for hometown Specialty Records. After moving to New York, he played with singer Jerry Butler and with the Impressions before embarking on a stint with Lou Donaldson. In the late '60s he became the band drummer for a small musical entitled Hair, a gig he kept until 1972. After dropping out and visiting India for awhile he returned to New York and toured with Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Roberta Flack before getting heavily into studio work and eventually working consistently for CTI Records.

Power of Soul was released in 1974 and placed Muhammad's name on the short list of hot jazz drummers (along with Billy Cobham, Lenny White, and Jack DeJohnette). The album definitely mines a rock/funk/jazz groove, but lacks the self-indulgent qualities that today make many albums released at the time sound dated. Power of Soul is one of fusion's truly classic albums, one that deserves to be heard by a new generation with fresh ears.

Keyboardist Bob James, who would become an integral part of CTI Records as a leader, did the arrangements, which never cross over into smooth jazz insignificance, yet are full and beautiful. Grover Washington, Jr. provides soprano and tenor work and sounds inspired. Other musicians include bassist Gary King, guitarist Joe Beck, and trumpet/flugelhorn work by Randy Becker. Yet the power of Muhammad's drum work is never lost in this stellar array of talent. He drives James' solo on "Piece of Mind", provides just the right Latin tinge on "The Saddest Thing", and kicks it out on "Loran's Dance" and the title track. Power of Soul is an excellent record, now available for the first time on CD.