This psych-tinged German crew are best-known for the 1971 progressive
masterpiece Schmetterlinge ('Butterflies'), but their 1970 debut was
just as good. Confusingly released as Overground in Germany, as
Turbulence in the UK and as Joy Unlimited in the United States, it's a
superb blend of psychedelia, funk and pop, boasting the powerhouse
vocals of Joy Fleming, an array of guitar and organ textures and breaks
and samples galore.
Oby Onyioha has a very 80s look on the cover – and the album's got a
strong 80s sound, too – almost in the hipper spectrum of underground
soul on the New York scene during the post-disco generation! The best
cuts are the groovers – like the snapping title cut and a few others,
which almost seem to pick up on a roller skating vibe in the rhythms –
creating this cool, bubbling groove that only gets better when Oby lays
her sweet vocals over the top!
She Is My Woman is Murphy William’s loose, funky and spontaneous call to
the dance floor. It’s an infectious collection of good-time tunes that
the band seem to be enjoying as much as the listener. Williams was a
stalwart of the Nigerian music scene, joining Godwin Omabuwa’s Cassanova
Dandies at 17 before becoming one of the two lead vocalist of The
Apostles from Aba. He was famous for his distinctive four octave voice, a
voice that legendary label boss, Godwin Tabansi decided was perfectly
suited to the new disco sound that was gripping Nigeria. The title track
gets the party started with Felix Liberty providing the good-time
guitar riffs, Friday Pozzo on congas and Sonny Enang keeping it light on
keyboards. The vibe is tight and bright, breathy a breezy charm into
disc-tied versions of Igbo folk songs ‘Selense’ and ‘Ima Obi O.’ The
undoubted highlight of the album is ‘Get On Up’, a certifiable disco
classic that would slay any dance floor anywhere in the world. It’s
funky, it’s fun and by the time the lyrics implore the listener to get
on up and dance their feet have already been convinced by the music. Put
it on and it’s guaranteed to get any party started. - Peter Moore
In November 1970 he recorded his first album in Paris, “Un Autunno a
Parigi”, with Jacky Samson on bass and Charles Saudrais on drums. His
second LP “At the Living Room” was recorded three years later, also in
Paris, in trio with Samson and Saudrais.
During those years his fame spread rapidly throughout Europe; Di Marco
performed on French and Italian radio and television stations, and
participated in many important international jazz festivals.
