Magical Shepherd

One of the wildest, wooliest jazz-funk albums of the 1970s, hiding in a cover that features the Czechoslovakian bassist bandleader in a furry lambskin vest gazing out at Orion in deep space, before he pivoted towards the more tempered and meticulous ECM template. Vitous doubles on electric bass and an array of synthesizers to match his cohort here, Herbie Hancock, all of it held down in the drummer’s throne by either Jack DeJohnette, Brazilian percussionist Airto, or by session player extraordinaire, James Gadson, and some combination of the three. That means the funk is wicked and solid, while the synth lines are like dogfights, spiraling ever higher towards the cosmos. “Basic Laws” is as fun and grimy as a basement dance party while “New York City” is even more zooted and loose-limbed. No wonder it was a staple of David Mancuso’s Loft parties (it’s also a clear predecessor to Arthur Russell’s own delirious dancefloor forays like “Go Bang #5”).