The Pharoahs

For a while, Pharaohs were lost in obscure record stores, prized by collectors and unknown to most. Thankfully, their influential fusion of hearty African rhythms with funky grooves and jazzy horns has been reissued by Ubiquity Records for further generations. From the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, this group -- which hovered around 11 members -- created long sprawling jams, thick with tumultuous congas, massive horn punctuations and scratchy, James Brown-style guitar. With the addition of extremely soulful singing, this Chicago-based group had the potential to become serious stars; they did not, due to a breakup in 1973. The unfortunate demise of the band was a mixed blessing in some senses, with members Charles Handy (trumpet), Louis Satterfield (trombone,) Don Myrick (alto sax), and Maurice White (drums) going on to form the foundation of the seminal group Earth, Wind & Fire.