TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Akido" - Akido (1972)

"Akido" - Akido (1972)

     For an obscurity, this one-and-done album "Akido" is pretty good.  There is a nice symbiosis between the funky African-style drumbeats and vocals...and the psych-inspired guitar work that really mesh.  Together, they make for a heady, exotic spin.  The album sets the table with traditional African rhythms before sliding into funky acid psych grooves that never let up.  It's a spin that grows with every rotation.  Not overly psych embellished, but there is an overall psych aura that more than brushes the edges of the genre.  It's good.  This is the kind of album you can actively listen to or simply have partying in the background.  I'm glad I grabbed it.

"Akido" (back)

"Akido" (inside gatefold)

Favorites include:
"Psychedelic Baby"
"Midnight Lady"
"Confusion"
"Happy Song"

This album was part of the trifecta of my estate sale finds.  The third and last album I grabbed.  The album is a barely played Promo copy that had a sweet $10 price tag.  Originals go for $50 or more.  It has a gatefold cover with the tracklisting, credits, and some nice artwork inside.  The front has been stamped with the radio initials... WNFT.  (Slippery Rock State College radio station out of Pennsylvania.)   The vinyl also came with the original Mercury sleeve.  This was the first time I ever saw the album in the wild and I probably would have left it behind if not for seeing Matt Sands show his own copy from a vinyl dig a few years back.  Not too much is known about the band Akido, however, the album was produced in England by Small Faces...Ronnie Lane.

Mercury label (Promo copy)

Cat #
SRM-1-644
SIDE A  DEADWAX
SRM-1-644  A-M1-1-11  G.K:  PR  D  
SIDE B  DEADWAX
SRM-1-644 B-M1-11-1  G.K.  PR  D

"Psychedelic Baby" - Akido / "Akido" (1972)

TRACKS:
A1  "Awade" 5:22
A2  "Psychedelic Baby" 3:10
A3  "Midnight Lady" 3:09
A4  "Happy Song" 4:57
A5  "Jo Jo Lo (Delicate Beauty)" 4:04
B1  "Gone With Yesterday" 3:28
B2  "Confusion" 5:36
B3  "Wajo" 4:45
B4  "Blow" 5:48

PERSONNEL:
Peter Andrews - guitar.
Speedy Acquaye - percussion
Biddy Wright - bass, vocals
Jeff Whittaker - congas, drums
Fayi Crown & Danielle Delon - b-vocals
Producer - Ronnie Lane

Good stuff.

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