Ronnie Foster - Two Headed Freap (1972/2014) Hi-Res

Ronnie Foster's debut album, The Two Headed Freap is a set of contemporary funky soul jazz from the early '70s, which means it sounds closer to the soundtrack of a lost blaxploitation flick than Back at the Chicken Shack, Pt. 2. Foster certainly does display a debt to Jimmy Smith, but his playing is busier than Smith's and a bit wilder. Ironic, then, that his playing is in service to the groove and blends into the mix of wah-wah guitars, funk rhythms, electric bass, harps, and percolating percussion. Everything on The Two Headed Freap is about glitzy groove – it sounds cinematic, colorful, and funky. It's true that there is little real improvisation here and the songs all have a similar groove, but it's worked well, and the music is ultimately appealing to fans of this genre. Jazz purists – even soul jazz purists – will likely find this music a little monotonous and commercial, but fans of early-'70s funk from Sly Stone to Herbie Hancock will find something of interest here.


Tracks:

1 Chunky (Ronnie Foster) 4:51
2 Drowning In The Sea Of Love (Kenneth Gamble / Leon Huff) 4:05
3 The Two-Headed Freap (Ronnie Foster) 4:20
4 Summer Song (Ronnie Foster) 5:18
5 Let's Stay Together (Al Green / Al Jackson Jr. / William Mitchell) 4:52
6 Don't Knock My Love (Wilson Pickett / Brad Shapiro) 4:29
7 Mystic Brew (Ronnie Foster) 4:12
8 Kentucky Fried Chicken (Ronnie Foster) 4:59

Personnel:

Ronnie Foster organ
Eugene Bianco harp
George Devens vibes, cabasa, shaker, cowbell
Gene Bertoncini guitar
George Duvivier bass
Gordon Edwards electric bass
Jimmy Johnson drums
Arthur Jenkins conga