ProJazz.net

Peace and Rhythm is the second album led by jazz drummer Idris Muhammad which was recorded for the Prestige label in 1971.

“Parts of the second solo album by Prestige Records’ house drummer, Idris Muhammad, are an even poppier affair than Black Rhythm Revolution, with a mellow soul-jazz feel replacing the slight Latin tinge of the earlier album. Side one is downright crossover, with its two pieces of positive-thinking pop (the lyrics, by Muhammad, are sung by his wife, Sakinah Muhammad) separated by a loose but faithful take on Wilson Pickett’s “Don’t Knock My Love.” That’s just side one, though. Side two is something much weirder and far more interesting. “The Peace and Rhythm Suite” is a side-long suite consisting of two long, spacy compositions that predate the ambient house scene by nearly two decades yet sound entirely of a piece with that style. Long, droning, sustained chords on a variety of wind and reed instruments float above Muhammad’s percussion, which ebbs and flows in a free, almost arrhythmic way through most of the piece. Fans of the Orb or Brian Eno will find it an old hat, but for early-’70s jazz, this was downright revolutionary.” – Stewart Mason/AllMusic.

Track listing:
“Peace and Rhythm Suite: Peace” (Idris Muhammad) – 12:05
“Peace and Rhythm Suite: Rhythm” (Clarence Thomas) – 5:55
“Brother You Know You’re Doing Wrong” (Sakinah Muhammad) – 5:40
“Don’t Knock My Love” (Brad Shapiro, Wilson Pickett) – 4:45
“I’m A Believer” (Sakinah Muhammad) – 5:20

Recorded at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on September 13 (tracks 3-5) and September 20 (tracks 1 & 2), 1971

Personnel:
Idris Muhammad – drums, gong, cowbell, cabasa, autohorn
Virgil Jones – trumpet
Clarence Thomas – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, bells, arranger
William Bivens – vibraphone (tracks 1 & 2)
Alan Fontaine, Melvin Sparks – guitar (tracks 3-5)
Kenny Barron – electric piano (tracks 1 & 2)
Ron Carter – bass (tracks 1 & 2)
Jimmy Lewis – electric bass (tracks 3-5)
Buddy Caldwell – congas
Angel Allende – percussion, timbales (tracks 1 & 2)
Sakinah Muhammad – vocals (tracks 3 & 5)

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Released: 1971
Recorded: September 13 & 20, 1971
Studio: Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Label: Prestige
PR 10036
Producer: Bob Porter