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Black Truth Rhythm Band "Ifetayo"

UK’s Soundway Records has been extremely active in 2011 for reissue and rarity releases. With a lot of content covering many continents of the world, each new release becomes a piece to a much larger puzzle than anyone could have imagined the label creating. Recently, the label took listeners to the Caribbean island of Trinidad circa 1976 with the much needed reissue of the extremely rare full length Ifetayo by the Black Truth Rhythm Band. Originally recorded in 1975 and with the band headed by Oluko Imo, Ifetayo  is one of the rarest fusion albums from the Caribbean region to carry as much influence with calypso, soul, jazz and funk as it does with the afro-beat rhythms and ideologies of the same time. Steeped in a message of determination, social equality, freedom and a deep respect and love for life, this is a record that is as important for today’s political and social climate as it was when released in the United States in 1976.

Ifetayo by the Black Truth Rhythm Band has been prepared on high grade vinyl, CD and the various digital versions like all of the Soundway releases. The Black Truth Rhythm Band was officially formed in 1971 and it took the band 5 years to release their first and only record, Ifetayo. The album is full of beautifully orchestrated compositions, all that have very distinctive 70′s style organ, smooth and rich bass lines, perfectly placed guitar and flute sheets and group vocals that show how passionate these guys were. About halfway into the self titled track and opener of the song, you are knee deep in the world of Ifetayo. The fact that the Black Truth Rhythm Band retained so much African influence is somewhat of a mystery to the history books of their region and most West Indian bands. Trinidad was known for its cross emergence of native rhythms and harmonies along with carrying out an identity founded by James Brown in the United States.

The Caribbean region wasn’t even known for carrying albums of African descent, let alone housing bands with all of the musical ideas, instruments and clothes to fulfill that label. Out of Trinidad came a true enigma in every sense of what the word means. This enigma is of course the Black Truth Rhythm Band and they were a group of men willing to step out of the norm and fuse ideas untouched along side the honor and celebration of their roots. When I listen to Ifetayo, I feel this indescribable balance, where Africa meets the tropical and angelical region of the Caribbean. This isn’t the first time these regions have connected in history, and in the fusion scene it was only a matter of time before something like Ifetayo was created.

Soundway Records continues to out do themselves and Ifetayo is one of the most intriguing inclusions to their catalog. By the time you get to the second piece ‘You People’, and the albums first sign of english lyrics, you are heavily into the spiritual soul and afro-funk that will exists on the rest of the record. The percussion, organ and low riding bass provide the perfect vehicle for the lead singer to show how much soul Ifetayo is all about. When the organ stretches out and solo’s, you know that this isn’t just guys copying notes, but people who had caught the same bug that was going around the world from the funk and soul pioneers around them. My favorite piece on the album is ‘Umbala’. 8 minutes in length, the mid tempo groove and laid back vocals really solidify this record as vital to a dance floor as it is in your consciousness and way of living. The complex arrangements of melody that exists over the loop like grooves from the rhythm section is marvelous and keeps this record moving forward the entire ride.

If you are looking for something different and want to groove in the process, this record is for you. For fans of the vinyl format, the label has pressed a special 7″ record that accompanies the full length vinyl format. Like most of their special releases and vinyl, this will sale out quickly.

-Erik Otis

Track Listing

1. Ifetayo
2. You People
3. Save D Musician
4. Kilimanjaro
5. Aspire
6. Umbala
7. Imo (Bonus track on the CD & LP versions)

Order the LP or CD HERE