Messengers Incorporated - Soulful Proclamation (LP 1970 SMI)(CD 2013 Jazzman Holy Grail Series) (FLAC)

A state in the USA not known for its Soul output, ultra-hip funk from Oklahoma's Messengers Incorporated, a group who come across with a sound that's every bit as righteous and heavy as you might guess from the cover! Instrumentation is heavy on bass, guitar, and organ and topped with some great saxophone work too, all in a sound that's draws plenty of inspiration from righteous jazz of the early 70s, but which focuses the sound into a more funk-based approach overall. Vocalists shift throughout  and include singers Barbara and Charles Burton, later of Burton Inc(COMING TOMORROW) who help give the record as much of a soul-based punch alongside the jazzy instrumentation of the combo! The whole thing's a real heavy hitter, the kind of album that could have soared large, had it gotten wider release back in the day. Two  tracks were played out in the UK Northern & Jazz/Funk Scene. Class album for sure!

AMM  

                                                                       The Tasters!