MANDRILL IS

3.5 stars. MANDRILL were a seven piece band out of Brooklyn, New York who combine many styles of music. The Wilson brothers add sax, trombone and trumpet along with vocals. For my tastes in music this is just too all over the place. Funny but I'll be enjoying a section and guaranteed it will change before too long. The music is very accessible and commercial sounding at times, and I think they made a living doing this considering how many times this second album of theirs has been re-issued. I'm really not into the blasting horns or the soulful vocals but then they'll offer up some tasty music that I really enjoy.

I find this to be a step up from the debut, just not as many cringe worthy moments. And while I can't come up with a top three I do really enjoy "KofiJahm" and the keyboardist's nickname is "Coffee". This is the only track that there's not something that bugs me. An instrumental with vibes, claps and beats early as flute joins in. Multi-vocals and lots of percussions at 1 1/2 minutes. Just a cool sounding tune without vocals or horns dominating. "Ape Is High" deserves a mention. I mean this is funny stuff. Lame would be the lyrics for "Git It All" I mean for 1971 you could get away with this. Then they get all false spiritual on us with "Universal Rhythm" with children speaking to open and close it. "Here Today Gone Tomorrow" is one of the better ones. Powerful with active drums and some great sounding organ. I like the flute and guitar as well.

Like the debut 3.5 stars is all I can give.