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.