Ricardo Marrero and The Group - Time (1977)

Classic 70s Latin funk from Ricardo Marrero -- known to funk fans everywhere for his funky 45 "Babylonia/My Friend", which isn't on this LP, but which should give you a great introduction to his sound. Marrerro mixed salsa, Latin Jazz, and 70s electric playing in a cool breezy style that was more west coast than New York -- and which really set him apart from some of his contemporaries. His group (aka The Group) is a tight batch of Latin fusion players with a cool electric sound -- and a youthful Dave Valentin is featured on flute and percussion, with an approach that's way better than the stuff he went on to record in the 80's. There's a lot of moody spiritual tracks with a real "Nu Yorica" sound, including "Land of the Third Eye", "Music in the Sun", "Sin Ti", and a great cover of "Feel Like Making Love".