"If," a historic jazz funk/rare groove masterpiece released in 1976 by Kansas City-born multi-jazz instrumentalist Nathan Davis on his own label, TOMORROW INTERNATIONAL, is being reissued in 2020!
The album is centered around Nathan's saxophone, which is intensely funky and powerful, and the undulating bass makes it easy to see why the song has the subtitle "Introducing Abraham Laboriel." Produced by Nathan Davis, who has a doctorate in ethnomusicology, the rhythm parts incorporate Brazilian and Afrobeat techniques, which come together perfectly to create a great groove.
The album starts with "Stick Buddy," which adds a comfortable flute to a light dance-inducing beat, and the third track, named after the state of Bahia in Brazil, is a Brazilian number with a literally fast-paced rhythm. M4 "African Boogie" features a fast-growing bass and drums that never stop for a moment, and the tenor sax that resonates loudly and powerfully in a punkish way is irresistible. It's a masterpiece that won't let jazz-funk listeners rest for even a second until the final track, "Mr. Jive By Five," creates a perfect dance floor!
