Black Merda - Force of Nature
(Vampi Soul VAMPICD110)
From Aural Innovations October 2009 update
This is a release that really caught me by surprise. Black Merda released their first record in 1970 and their second in 1972. They were one of the few all black bands playing psychedelic rock. I had never heard these albums but I went to Myspace to hear some of the older tracks and they were pretty damn cool. This record is something completely different though. The hard edge, the slightly psychedelic funky side is now very slick but this is not commercial music but songs that take the influence of James Brown, Funkadelic, and soul players. The band was a trio back then and now is complimented by a keyboard player (the original drummer died in 2004) and the two original members. Anyway, this is more a funk record than a rock record and pretty laid back and melodic and really lacking that edge that they used to have but what can you expect, as these cats must be in their 60’s now. Still, quite a few cool tracks but the psychedelia is gone. Cool stuff.
Check out the Vampi Soul site at: http://www.vampisoul.com
Check out the band web site at: http://www.myspace.com/blackmerdamusic
Reviewed by Scott Heller