Aomawa: The 1970s Recordings

Idris Ackamoor’s group, active since the early Seventies, is here in some early incarnations. This is three mid-decade albums and one live radio session, the latter maybe the hottest thing here. The mood is free but the foundation for everything is an all-purpose funk, with lots of percussion and chanting. You know they’re colleagues of Cecil Taylor’s from the overall mood but it’s much more cohesive and groove-centered than you expect. Also: choo-choo train whistles and hollering and bells, lots of ‘em.