The Pyramids & Idris Ackamoor - Lalibela (2022)

The Pyramids were an early '70s Ohio band that had a novel, exciting take on the fusion concept--they combined aspects of spiritually inspired R&B/soul, free jazz, and funk with a liberal sprinkling of cosmic awareness. Their approach emphasized improvised percussion and woodwinds but with a focused, solid center. Originally released in 1973, LAILBELA consists of two very long pieces that build over the course of the album. On them, the Pyramids sound as if they wanted to link the free jazz sounds of Chicago and New York with the spiritually and politically charged R&B and funk of the period (James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, etc.). Both heady and groove-oriented, the Pyramids made music that can sweep the listener into their sound-world. ~ Mark Keresman