Andy Bey

These days, Andy Bey is known a standout straight-ahead jazz vocalist, but back in the paisley-print '70s he recorded this album of psychedelic soul, parts of which stand as some of the genre's defining moments. It's all about the first three songs here, incredible space-shot jams that skitter and funk along on elemental bits of slivery guitar, sly drum breaks, fatback bass, electronic accents and Bey's yearning vocals. This stuff is a groove-soaked blast from the past, deep and dark as Uranus.

Bey's career has included an inspired Fifties-pop vocal group (Andy and the Bey Sisters)
and stints with excellent contemporary jazz ensembles (Gary Bartz NTU Troop, Mtume
Umoja Ensemble) and very little recognition outside New York. His voice is warm,
enormously rich and enveloping; his techniques are unpretentiously virtuosic and
imaginative. With the right backing and the right material he could do wonders,... More >