We’re kicking off with some truly funky stuff. Back in 2013, Gilles Peterson was interviewed for Dust & Grooves Volume 1 by the great Dom Servini, in the basement of Brownswood Recordings. They covered great ground, from Peterson’s French-Swiss upbringing, to the first record that opened the floodgates for introducing jazz to the dancefloor.
In his youth, Peterson started with jazz, and started making the switch to funk. This was, in part, due to the introduction of an English school uniform, so showing who you were came from the music you represented. Funk came into Peterson’s life from the American scene, where Earth, Wind & Fire’s All ‘n All made quite the impression. I, too, remember listening to this album for the first time, rather skeptically, as echoes of Earth, Wind & Fire mockery were instilled in my early-teenage brain. But when I heard “Jupiter”, it was the first time I really felt dancing take control of my body with no warning; no neurological instructions needed there. I can see why Peterson got into American jazz-funk pretty enthusiastically.
Peterson remarks on how important Brit-funk remained to him, though. He notes “you had an underground club scene based on US funk, soul, and disco, and then the British bands began to copy that, creating their own sound—bands like Light of The World, Hi Tension, and Hudson People were incredibly important.” An undoubtable favorite of mine on Hudson People’s Trip to Your Mind is the title track itself. At nine minutes long, don’t be put off. The time becomes an irrelevance entirely as the song can take you into a realm beyond such silly concepts. It’s one of those tracks that just does everything it’s supposed to, every new section serves the exact right purpose to keep you moving and encapsulated. The record is still hot, with Peterson telling us that ‘tt’s another prized record of mine and it still sounds good today. I can play this now and the kids will dig it”.
I wish I could talk about every mention in detail, but I’m afraid you’d have to buy me a drink first. Peterson is of course known for his eclecticism, so I was glad to also include some slower music in the list. More specifically, that of jazz-folk singer songwriter Terry Callier. A song of his I have selected from Peterson’s recommended What Color is Love is “Just As Long As We’re In Love”. It is effortlessly beautiful. Callier’s lyrics are uncomplicated and sincere, and the grand instrumental supports his simple message of love by perfectly encapsulating that feeling of flying and not looking down that your special person gives you. I will, however, keep looking down to see if Peterson’s very rare original pressing of What Color is Love ever becomes available…
Gilles’ Recommended Listening List:
Maze – Live in New Orleans
Earth, Wind & Fire – All ‘n All
Level 42 – The Early Tapes
Incognito – “Parisienne Girl”
Hudson People – A Trip To Your Mind
David Bendeth – Adrenalin
Carol Jiani – “Hit ‘N Run Lover”
George Duke – A Brazilian Love Affair
Herbie Hancock – Mr. Hands
Art Blakey – “A Night in Tunisia”
A Tribe Called Quest – “Excursions”
Latin Jazz Quintet – Latin Soul
Terry Callier – What Color is Love
Sarah Vaughan – The Planet Is Alive… Let It Live!
Ebo Taylor & Uhuru Yenzu – Conflict Nkru!
Ricardo Marrero & The Group – Time
Sabu Martinez – Sorcery!
The Bethlehem Progressive Ensemble – Mod Lit
Cerrone – “Hooked On You”
Les Amazones de Guinée – “Samba”
