Fencewalk: The Anthology

Performer: Mandrill
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: FENCEWALK: THE ANTHOLOGY includes songs from all five of the bands Polydor releases, MANDRILL, MANDRILL IS, COMPOSITE TRUTH, JUST OUTSIDE OF TOWN, and MANDRILLAND. Mandrill includes: Carlos D. Wilson (vocals, guitar, alto saxophone, trombone, flute, bass, congas, timbales, percussion); Omar Mesa, Doug Rodrigues, Joaquin Jessup (vocals, guitar, percussion); Ric Wilson (vocals, tenor saxophone, percussion); Louis Wilson (vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn, drums, congas, percussion); Claude "Coffee" Cave (vocals, piano, electric piano, clavinet, organ, synthesizer, keyboards, vibraphone, percussion); Wilfredo "Wolf" Wilson (vocals, bass, congas, percussion); Bundie Cenac, Fudgie Kae (vocals, bass, percussion); Charles Padro, Neftali Santiago (vocals, drums, percussion). Additional personnel includes: Paul Trejo, Elliott Randall, Cliff Morris (guitar); Douglas Cameron (violin); Dave Tofani (alto saxophone); David Conley (saxophone); Kenneth Mason (trumpet, flugelhorn); Alan Rubin (trumpet); Tom Malone (trombone); Greg Mathieson (piano); Rob Mounsey (electric piano); Paul Griffin (clavinet). Producers: Beau Ray Fleming, Mandrill, Alfred V. Brown, Jeff Lane, Kenny Vance. Compilation producer: Harry Weinger. Engineers include: Kim King, Dave Palmer, Harry Maslin. Includes liner notes by Pablo Guzman. Digitally remastered by Gary N. Mayo (PolyGram Studios). This is part of Polydor/Chronicles' Soul Essentials series. Personnel: Carlos Wilson (vocals, guitar, flute, alto saxophone, trombone, timbales, percussion); Douglas Rodrigues, Omar Mesa (vocals, guitar, percussion); Fudgie Kae (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, percussion); Ric Wilson (vocals, tenor saxophone, percussion); Louis Wilson (vocals, flugelhorn, congas, percussion); Claude Cave (vocals, piano, organ, synthesizer, vibraphone, percussion); Neftali Santiago, Charles Padro (vocals, drums, percussion); Bundie Cenas (vocals, percussion); Cliff Morris, Paul Trejo, Elliott Randall (guitar); Doug Cameron (violin); David Conley (saxophone); David Tofani (alto saxophone); Kenny Mason (trumpet, flugelhorn); Alan Rubin (trumpet); Tom "Bones" Malone (trombone); Greg Mathieson (piano); Rob Mounsey (electric piano); Paul Griffin (Clavinet, background vocals); Chris Parker (drums); Crusher Bennett (percussion); Kenny Vance, Luther Vandross, Arnold McCuller, Susan Collins (background vocals). Audio Remixers: David Palmer ; Joe Ferla; Kim King. Liner Note Author: Pablo Guzman. Recording information: Electric Lady Studios, New York, NY (1970-1972); Fidelity Recording, Studio City, CA (1970-1972); Hit Factory, New York, NY (1970-1972); Kendun Recorders, Burbank, CA (1970-1972); Studio In The Country, Bogalusa, LA (1970-1972). Unknown Contributor Role: Louis Wilson. Arrangers: Mandrill; Rob Mounsey; Paul Griffin . By the '90s, the eclecticism of artists like Beck made the combining of genres in a pan-stylistic sound seem like a given. In the '70s, though, when Mandrill was fusing funk, rock, Latin music, R&B, and jazz, such conglomerations were far from the norm. Consequently, Mandrill stood out from their contemporaries as a group with wide-ranging influences and abilities. Their original albums contained so many stylistic detours that only a sturdy compilation like the two-disc FENCEWALK can provide an adequate overview of Mandrill's sound. Throughout, Latin polyrhythms mingle with searing hard-rock guitar, hard-hitting funk rhythms, and jazzy horns. The frequent use of chant-like vocals is indicative of the hippie-influenced collective spirit that was a major part of Mandrill's vision. Fans of everyone from Santana to P-Funk to Earth, Wind & Fire should find something to admire in FENCEWALK.

JazzTimes (9/97, p.65) - "...A word to anyone who passes on the two-disc FENCEWALK: THE ANTHOLOGY: you're missing out....Mandrill did it all; if you aren't hip to them, here's your chance to get with it." Vibe (5/97, p.124) - "...essential listening for hip-hop nationals, contemporary R&B fans, and rockers alike....delivered streetwise funk, sweet soul ballads, pan-Latin jams, and virile guitar rock with equal authority..."

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