Celebrating Lou Wilson - Love of My Life - 11 years with the Ancestor/Angels

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Hello and Happy New Year All!

I thought to myself - "It's been 11 years, surely I have now gotten to the point when I don't get sad anymore  - where I now accept that it was GOD's will and LOU's time on this plane of action was over, without feeling resentful or cheated.  But, NO!  I was sitting here watching Lakewood Church's Joel Osteen, and, without realizing it, tears were running down my face. 

I actually tried to get through this date without breaking down.  It's not like it sneaks upon me - actually, somewhere around Christmas, my heart does a silent count down of how many more days until I lose my man.  I try to shake it - but it's still there in my subconscious. 

But, this time instead of just letting tears flow, I stopped and said, "Good Morning Lou - I knew you were going to drop in to make sure I'm OK."     I remember one of his favorite sayings:  "Life ain't nothing but a meatball."  I used to laugh at those crazy sayings he and Carlos - his younger brother - would come up with.  They would repeat them over and over and over again -and crack up as though it was the first time they ever heard or said it.  

A friend of mine, who was visiting for the week end, asked me why there were no pictures of Lou anywhere in the apartment.  I had various collections of our kids and grandkids, as well as my Sorors, and other events.  It suddenly dawned on me that I am still silently mourning.  So, today, in order to step into the sunlight and out of the shrouds and clouds, I'm posting some photos I made of Lou and the group Black in the day - as well as some sent to me by Sister/Friend Fikisha Cumbo. 

 

(L-R) Lou Love of my Life, and his brothers: Carlos, Ricardo & Wilfredo - a/k/a MANDRILL

Lou doing what he loves and does best: Playing the Congas

Lou and our son RAIS (WunSunLyonsRA)  rapping at BB Kings

Mandrill at BB Kings

 

Lou's sense of humor had no bounds. We'd spend hours watching comedies, analyzing the artists' "schtick" and why we like one, and not necessarily the other.  Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Bernie Mac. ManTan Moreland, and so many others - we'd watch them over and over as if they had just started.  Lou was a combination intellect, educator, clown, lyricist, actor, spiritualist, humorist, and FINE BLACK MAN all wrapped into one.  Not perfect - but then again, perfection is soooo overrated anyway!  Our children have definitely inherited his gene for humor, as have our grandkids.  It's wonderful watching them channel him without realizing it - our son is lovingly called the "Clown Prince" because of his ability to mimimick (something his teachers didn't find so amusing when he was in elementary school).  But, on this day of days, when Lou made his exit from this physical plane and joined his parents and left us here with a big hole in our soul and in our existence 11 years ago, I am thankful that I can turn this into a fond memory instead of a maudlin misery. 

  I took this pic of Lou when Mandrill was on tour in NYC, Philly and DC.  This was at the Hilton in Philly just prior to their performance at the Dell East - looks a little like a halo, or divine light behind his head, doesn't it?   He and I laughed at this picture, but it's interesting how it has actually become "Lou's Halo."

Eleven years ago I made this tragic announcement in my blog, ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS:

"Sunrise: 10.25.1941 - Sunset: 1.07.2013:    

Lou Wilson, the Love of My Life, of Mandrill, Inc., has Joined the Ancestors

by Gloria Dulan-Wilson:

January 7, 2013

  To all my dear friends, family and loved ones:

It is with deep sadness, and a great deal of pain that I announce the loss of the Love of My Life, Louis W. Wilson - of the amazing music group Mandrill - has passed.  He was 71 years young; vibrant, handsome, full of energy and the love for life and his family.
My man, my soulmate, my heart of hearts, is gone!  If you think this is a routine announcement, it's not!  This is a cry of pain.  I am deeply wounded...."

I admit that it took me three years to come out of the state of shock - another three years before I could actually listen to Mandrill without crying; and another two years before I could actually have a conversation with our kids, our friends and others with objective sentimentality, instead of maudlin tears.  And now I can look back with nostalgic fondness on those crazy, wonderful years we spent together and laugh at the zaniness, fun, and silly predicaments we would get ourselves in and out of.

So today, January 7, 2024 - the eleventh commemoration of his transition to the realm of Ancestor/Angels - I am celebrating his life, music, creativity, talent and love.  I am also inviting our family, friends, and fans to listen to something from Mandrill - www.Mandrillmusic.com - or on YouTube and remember the genius behind the music, Lou Wilson's legacy is the gift that keeps on giving and blessing.

I was watching Agape International this morning.   Agape was founded by friend/compatriot Rev. Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, and my mind did a rewind to when  Michael's presided over Lou's Homegoing Ceremony -  I remembered how Micheal - whom I had known for eons from our UN Days, insisted that I speak at his Homegoing in my own words - something few widows get to do.  But in so doing, I was able to process our lives, loves, and all the fun stuff with the rest of the family - and bring back some of our fondest shared memories with the family - and my own broken heart - to make it more tolerable.  Bless Michael for having my back and walking me through one of the most difficult times of my life.   I remember I was wearing Lou's favorite outfit in honor of him- a deep Teal Blue and Purple outfit I had designed that reflected the colors of Mandrill, Of course, Lou, smiling down on me was the only one who noticed.  

Admittedly I found myself on the brink of melancholy starting around Christmas, and escalating as I got closer and closer to January 6th (the actual date of his transition - Los Angeles Time - 3 hours behind East Coast time).  But I meditated on all the good things we had together, and put that in my uppermost mind instead.  So I am now in the midst of a celebration of Lou Wilson, the Love of my Life, and invite you to all celebrate him with me - Click on the link to enjoy Mandrill in Montreaux, Canada:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFF1PJatT6A&t=3209s

 

Lou with a Signature Piece by Sir Shadow, the One Line Artist (2011)

On January 7, 2013 My Tall, Dark, and Chocolate Fine Black Man/GENIUS  made his exit, and has left us a legacy of love, wonderful music, and fun; laced with major  West Indian Heritage and Wisdom, and over the top sense of humor that still keeps us cracking up with laughter.  His love of education, fun, history, and creativity is hardwired into the genepool of our children and their children to come. 

 

Lou & Me - Our Favorite Photo

 

One of our favorite MANDRILL Album covers:  Lou with the Family in his hands, Carlos in the center, Ric on the right

 Love  to  Ric, Carlos, Wolf Wilson.  Many fond  and loving memories of Mom and Pop Wilson,  and Alonzo.  

Blessings and love to our three: Rais, Adiya and Kira, and our five grandchildren:

Hugh V, Jaden, Akili, Kijahni, Jazahra

And alway remember to never forget the wonder and genius of

LOU WILSON - 

NOW A MEMBER OF THE ANCESTOR/ANGELS

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Transistion of LOU WILSON to the Realm of Ancestor Angels

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Ten years ago I made this tragic announcement in my blog, ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS:

"1.10.2013:

Lou Wilson, the Love of My Life, of Mandrill, Inc., has Joined the Ancestors

by Gloria Dulan-Wilson:

 To all my dear friends, family and loved ones:

It is with deep sadness, and a great deal of pain that I announce the loss of the Love of My Life, Louis W. Wilson - of the amazing music group Mandrill - has passed.  He was 71 years young; vibrant, handsome, full of energy and the love for life and his family.

My man, my soulmate, my heart of hearts, is gone!  If you think this is a routine announcement, it's not!  This is a cry of pain.  I am deeply wounded...."

I admit that it took me three years to come out of the state of shock - another three years before I could actually listen to Mandrill without crying; and another two years before I could actually have a conversation with our kids, our friends and others with objective sentimentality, instead of maudlin tears.  And now I can look back with nostalgic fondness on those crazy, wonderful years we spent together and laugh at the zaniness, fun, and silly predicaments we would get ourselves in and out of.

So today, January 7, 2023 - the tenth commemoration of his transition to the realm of Ancestor/Angels - I am celebrating his life, music, creativity, talent and love.  I am also inviting our family, friends, and fans to listen to something from Mandrill - www.Mandrillmusic.com - or on YouTube and remember the genius behind the music, Lou Wilson's legacy is the gift that keeps on giving and blessing.

Admittedly I found myself on the brink of melancholy starting around Christmas, and escalating as I got closer and closer to January 6th (the actual date of his transition - Los Angeles Time - 3 hours behind East Coast time).  But I meditated on all the good things we had together, and put that in my uppermost mind instead.  So I am now in the midst of a celebration of Lou Wilson, the Love of my Life, and invite you to all celebrate him with me - Click on the link to enjoy Mandrill in Montreaux, Canada:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFF1PJatT6A&t=3209s

 

Lou with a Signature Piece by Sir Shadow, the One Line Artist (2011)

This post is going to be short, sweet, loving and to the point: My Tall, Dark, and Chocolate Fine Black Man/GENIUS  has left us a legacy of love, wonderful music, and fun; laced with some West Indian Heritage and Wisdom, and over the top sense of humor that still keeps us cracking up with laughter.  His love of education, fun, history, and creativity is hardwired into the genepool of our children and their children to come. 

 

Lou & Me - Favorite Photo

I'm blessed to have had the love and the memories  - along with a sufficient amount of aggravation to balance it out!!

 

Lou with the Family in his hands, Carlos in the center, Ric on the right

 Love and condolences to his brothers:  Ric, Carlos, Wolf Wilson.  Many fond  and loving memories of Mom and Pop Wilson,  and Alonzo.  

Blessings and love to our three: Rais, Adiya and Kira, and our grandchildren.  

 NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

CELEBRATING LOU WILSON ON HIS 80th Birthday Anniversary - October 25, 2021

By  Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Hello All!

HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY LOU!!

Lou Wilson/Performing with MANDRILL at the Dell East - Philadelphia 08/2011 

Well, it's finally here - today is October 25, 2021 - what would have been Lou Wilson - The Love of My Life's 80th Birthday.  

Truth be told, I've been subconsciously doing a count down to this day since his 79th birthday, in 2020.

At the time I had no idea what we were going to do as a family.  I can tell you it is totally different from what we envisioned years ago when we would make those plans about our futures as seniors - grandparents - together.  We saw ourselves sitting on a porch with rocking chairs, still in love and loving, with at least 10 grandkids running in and out the house.

I had no vision of his not being here to celebrate his 80th birthday in the flesh.  But he's not!   He made his transition 8 years ago.   However, his spirit is very much here - and not just with me, but with our kids, our Grandkids, his Friends, Fans, and Admirers.  Our memories are always of joy, humor, fondness whenever his name or his spirit comes up.  There are so many loving anecdotes that we can and do share with each other.

Many of these will probably come to mind today as we commemorate the life of this wonderful genius - a man of passion, walking music, educator, lover of children, and a whole host of wonderful qualities that culminated in the most enigmatic, iconic, creative and talented FINE BLACK MAN on the Planet, who created so much wonderful music and thought provoking, imaginative lyrics that still stand the test of time.

So I'm asking you all to please celebrate with us, the 80th Birthday of LOU WILSON

Happy Birthday LOU - MUCH LUV4U - as you traverse the realm of the Ancestor/Angels

In you honor and memory, I'm binge-listening to MANDRILL Music - all day long.

Lou, Carlos, Ric, Wolf Wilson

If you have positive or loving ideas you want to share on this occasion of LOU WILSON BIG 8-OH BIRTHDAY

PLEASE POST THEM HERE

I'M SURE OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDS WOULD LOVE TO KNOW

Thank You!!

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

GLO.W

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

BLACK MUSIC MONTH ZOOM TRIBUTE TO LOU WILSON & MANDRILL

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Hello All:

Today is June 30, 2021, the last day of Black Music Month Celebrations, and I thought I'd try something different in celebrating our Black geniuses.  Historically speaking, we brought rhythm to the world.  Our music tradition is rooted in our AFRICAN HERITAGE - and is a combination of  energy, syncopation, vibrancy, and saturated with soul.  No matter what culture you're in, it's Black music that brought the sizzle.  And one of the biggest exponents and example of this genre of funk is MANDRILL, Inc. 

Last year I did an over view of the group, and shared some of the classics that many may or may not remember.  This year I'm trying something different.  This will be the 80th Birthday Anniversary of my hubbie, LOU WILSON, who founded the Group MANDRILL, along with his brothers, Carlos (Carl - Mad Dog) and Ricardo Ric/(Doc) Wilson.  

It's also the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the group.  LOU had been attending Long Island University (LIU) in Brooklyn; and, like most Caribbean brothers, working numerous other jobs - including dental assistant, driving a taxi, and part time barber.  In the back of his head, and deep in his heart, his love of music, and the desire to start his own group grew so strong that he literally dropped out of college one degree away from completing his degree in psychology.  His love for music and his musical skill stemmed from his father, Wilfred (Fred) Wilson, who made sure all his sons (there were 5 of them - Lou was the eldest) could play a musical instrument to proficiency.  Lou's instrument was the trumpet; Ric's was the saxophone; Carl's was the flute and slide trombone - in between all that, they also mastered several percussion instruments. Their Mother, Doris (Mom's) Wilson let them use her beauty parlor in their Brooklyn Brownstone family home, on Marcy Avenue, for rehearsals (I had to spell that out folks!  Lou loved that home and often referred to it no matter where we were). 

By the time I met the guys in 1972, they had already begun to take the world by storm with their eclectic music style - a combination of Blues, Funk, Afro/Latin/Jazz, and Rock music.  There were conversant in the various languages of music, with a Panamania/Jamaican/Barbadian heritage - there was practically nothing they could not or did not master.

And, here we go again!!  I'm bragging about the raw versatility of this tremendously talented group of men.  Which is why I decided to change the format and conduct  interviews with some of the guys who knew them early on behind the scenes in action.  So I contacted my Brother/Friend/Classmate, Vaughn Thomas, who was Mandrill's Road Manager  from 1972 through 1975, to see if he would do a ZOOM interview with me about the group and their impact on Black Music.  

Vaughn, in turn, reached out to David Dansky, sound tech and engineer extraordinaire, who had been with the group from 1971 through 1975; and David reached out to Kevin Smith, a fellow  Roadie who had charge of instruments and stage set up from 1974 to 1975.  Vaughn also contacted Omar Mesa who was lead string guitar player with the group from 1971 through 1975.  I served as hostess, and the rest was nostalgic magic!!   I'm sharing the link below.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed our Mini-Mandrill-Reunion.

 

Before we start, thought, I must give credit where credit is due: Had it not been for David Dansky's technological prowess, this most certainly would not have come to fruition.  

I am dedicating this to LOU WILSON - Love of My Life - as well as to Ric,Carl, Wolf, and all the guys who comprised and comprise Mandrill over the years - you guys are still the most awesome group of musical geniuses ever.  But more especially, I'm dedicating this to our beautiful children, Rais, Adiya, Kira, and Victor;  and our beautiful grandchildren, who are displaying talents of their own.

 

Stay Blessed & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK -  

Glo.W

 

Click on link below or copy and paste to view interview:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/5682i3xlj4akamqchsbil/Mandrill-Interview-6-24-21.mov?dl=0&oref=e&r=ABaTk3r6gQgCATld5c4-s34Lld1R6_w7ZN2gbBY4z_9dZ64eDtYz8JoTlj0vu5gYVuxbAKKp5XxCtwcnu9oqFryYLoOdgZjoCl56EmcuXDyjcrqA7bpDn5JGXijKwndBIOb33Tz8FR-l647dPXenH8WxUrJ4VdPVZzB8eaw14Mj_gPsrsWNGil_DyLHo2F

 

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

April 1 - Happy Birthday Brother Gil Scott-Heron - NOW TRYING TO WAKE UP THE ANCESTOR/ANGELS

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

 

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

June Belongs to Black People: Happy Black Music Month, Caribbean Heritage Month, and Fathers Day

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

Just looked up and realized that this is not only Juneteenth, but we are in the middle of BLACK MUSIC MONTH and Caribbean Heritage Month!   So much has happened since March, and then, with the cruel, inhumane murder of George Floyd, the T-rump stunt in having secret service open fire on peaceful protesters, not to mention the anger that spilled into the communities destroying shops, pharmacies, supermarkets, and other necessary resources - it kind of pushed the Black Music Culture to the backburner for a minute.  

In my family, which is comprised of Caribbean and Soul Roots (husband from Panama by way of Jamaica and Barbados, and me Black R&B and African music to the core, there is no way that I'm going to let this month go by without acknowledging how vital and wonderful Black music is, and it's influence on the world.  

Despite all that's happened over the last few weeks - Coronavirus, heinous murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbury, Breonna  Taylor, Rayshard Brooks and so many others,  there's still a great deal to celebrate, and Black music bridges the gap between tragedy and triumph.  

My late husband/love of my life, Lou Wilson, a great musician/composer/vocalist/arranger - and Fine Black Man of Caribbean lineage (Jamaican on his Dad, Wilfred Wilson's side; and Barbados (Bajan) on his Mom, Doris Wilson's side), would have written several songs based on what's happening now.  They would have been inspiring, uplifting, encouraging, as well as a warning to the perpetrators.  

The fact that brothers like LL Cool J, Nick Cannon, Alicia Keyes, and so many other of our brothers have turned our rage into music to inspire and inform us, is yet another viable and vital aspect of why Black music is so special and at the center of our core.  In addition to inspiring our contemporary artists, there is a long traditional history of songs - called "Negro Spirituals"  - that kept us together, inspired us, blessed us, encouraged us as we suffered through the ignominy of slavery,  jimcrow, genocide, rape, castration, lies, cheating, privation - our spirits poured into those songs, and those in turn blessed us - "Didn't my Lord Deliver Daniel - and Why Not Every Man?" is a Black spiritual that I vividly remember as a kid - along with a whole repertoire that I sang with the Glee Club as a kid in Oklahoma City.  Black Music like "We Shall Over Come" which is the theme song I grew up on as a participant in the Civil Rights Movement; "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around!" 

Of course our party songs, soul songs, love songs, boogie down songs -  all of the wonderful music that emanates from our very souls  - music, song, rhythm is in our gene pool.  It's a major part of our very DNA!  We can't hear a beat and not move some part of our body to it; not have our internal workings resonating to it. It's impossible!  One tenth of one percent of Black blood responds to the essential beat.  They thought that after they stole us from our Motherland, separated us from our people, culture, heritage, and our roots, that we would lose our soul, our hope, our vision.  But through those horrific 400 years of slave monsters, working in the field, chopping cotton, tobacco, sugar cane - we still had all this wonderfulness inside us, that kept  - and keeps  - our souls alive.  

So happy Juneteenth Week End - the spirit of our ancestors are still dancing and singing at the news of being free of the shackles of slavery.  Happy Black Music Month!!  Happy Caribbean Heritage Month - to our brothers and sisters from all over the Caribbean - especially from Jamaica and Barbados - which is where the love of my life - Lou Wilson - and his remarkable family are from.  

Of course you know that this has to lead up to saluting my favorite music group - Mandrill - Lou, Ric, Carlos, Wilfredo Wilson - who consolidated their Afro Caribbean lineage with their love of and talent for music, and gave us some of the most unique, remarkable, magnificent, expressive, danceable music on the planet.  And what better way to celebrate than to share it with you.  

Now,  topping this off with a posthumous Happy Father's Day Greeting to Lou Wilson, love of my life - who made your transition  to the realm of Ancestor/Angels seven years ago - Just wanted to let you know that our kids - Kira, Rais, and Adiya are as wonderful as ever.   You'd be so proud of our GrandPeople: Our first grandson, Handsome Hugh V has just graduated from Hampton U; our second grandson, Jaden, has graduated from high school and is now getting ready to go to Lincoln U (PA); and Akili is now a high school freshman; and the twins are just entering junior high school.  They all have your musical genius, creative genes, lifelong love of learning, and talent.  So while you and Gil Scott Heron are up there creating new songs and rhythms, you're not forgotten, and still very much loved. 

To all our Black dads who are holding your families together, know that you're likewise much loved and appreciated. 

So enjoy!! Stay Blessed! Happy Juneteenth!  Happy Black Music Month! Happy Father's Day!
 

Lou Wilson of Mandrill

Born in Panama, October 25, 1941, he immigrated to the US with his father and brothers at the age of 12, and was raised in Brooklyn.  He, along with his brothers, attended and graduated from the legendary Boys High of Brooklyn.

The wonderful thing about Dad Wilson was that he insisted on all his sons - 4 of them, (the youngest coming along long after his older brothers had grown and left home) - cultivating their talents; so he made each one learn to play a musical instrument.  You might say he was the predecessor of Joe Jackson, because before they could not go out and hang with their friends, or participate in sports, they had to put in a considerable time practicing and mastering their instruments.  

And master it, they did.  Among they four of them, they played a total of nearly 50 instruments - including Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Congas, bongos, timbales, flute, sticks, spoons,  kazoos, and the kitchen sink.  

The important thing about Lou's music - and Mandrill in general - is that the lyrics are to uplift, inform, teach - they were about love, peace, and unity.  There was never any profanity used in any of their lyrics; no overt sexuality or perversions - just good clean fun.  They enjoyed their music and performing together - and apart from the occasional sibling rivalry - they were a cohesive unified family.  They not only loved their music, but loved the music of so many other artists as well.  Lou was the consummate ethnomusicologist - and loved music of other cultures as well as the music we as Black people created.  

As a result, our home was a musical home.  We would wake up to the Mighty Sparrow or Lord Kitchener one morning, John Coltrain, or Miles Davis, the next; the Beatles the next, Stevie Wonder, Olatunji, Hugh Masakela, Miriam Makeba, Bob Marley, James Brown, the Four Tops, The Temptations, and so on.  If Lou wasn't listening to music, or making music, he was writing lyrics.  A peculiar sound could send him off on a tangent in how to incorporate it into an idea that was running in the back of his mind.  And soon, he was composing something new, wonderful and different.  Our Sun/Son RA has as much talent as his dad, and is constantly composing, acting, doing Spoken Word - it's in his DNA.  

Our Mandrill family was a true Diasporian Family - to the point that I coined a new description for us:  African/JamacaBajaManian-Americans.  The richness of the confluence of our cultures has been such a blessing to me and our family -  as well as my nieces, nephews, and all the Wilsons, who comprise the Mandrill Family. 


There has been so many issues and controversies about immigrantion;  but we have so many geniuses amongst us - from scientists, to doctors, to educators, to architects, to entertainers.  Had Lou's family not left Panama, and come to the US to seek better lives for their children, there would have been no Mandrill; similarly, there would be no Wyclef Jean, there would be no Rihanna, no Sheryl Lee Ralph, no Harry Belafonte, and so many others, who have blended their voices, talents, geniuses, creativity with their African American Brothers and Sisters here in the US.  We have all been blessed with the genetic codes of our African Ancestors which has informed our capacity to transform it into something wonderful and magical - a lifetime legacy.


A year ago a very good friend of mine, Tony Regusters, posted a tribute to Mandrill on FaceBook, which started me on binge-listening to their music -something I haven't done in quite some time - Lou made his sudden and unexpected transition to the realm of Ancestor/Angel on  January 7, 2013 - It's taken me this 7 years to sit and enjoy the music and the videos without tearing up, or feeling sad - just enjoying the memories. 

"The Wilson brothers, founders of the awesome 1970's Latin Jazz/R&B/Funk fusion band MANDRILL, were born in Panama and grew up in the Bedford–Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. With Carlos on trombone and vocals, Lou on trumpet and vocals, and Ric on saxophone and vocals, they formed the band to combine funk, soul, jazz, and Latin music. The band was named after the mandrill species of primate, which was known for its colorful features and family-oriented social structure. The other original members included keyboardist Claude "Coffee" Cave, guitarist Omar Mesa, bassist Bundie Cenas, and drummer Charlie Padro. 

They signed with Polydor Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1970. The album and its self-titled single "Mandrill" both reached the Billboard charts. Fudgie Kae Solomon replaced Cenas for their second album Mandrill Is, which also reached the Billboard soul and pop charts. 

Neftali Santiago then became Mandrill's new drummer. Their third album Composite Truth was released in 1972 and became their most successful release, with the single "Fencewalk" reaching number 19 on the Billboard singles chart. During this period, Mandrill gained critical notice as one of the most progressive and experimental funk bands of the 1970s, while their use of Latin elements drew comparisons to Santana and War. Funk historian Rickey Vincent noted Mandrill's multi-ethnic membership and "bizarre blend of African-based rhythms, scorching rock riffs, country fonk, bop jazz, and one-chord guitar rock operas." 

Guitarist Dougie Rodriguez, a former Santana sideman, joined in time for the second Mandrill album to be released in 1973, Just Outside of Town, which reached the top ten on the Billboard Soul Albums chart.
Here's a beautiful love song by Mandrill..."

youtube.com

Love Song - Mandrill

Del disco "Just outside of town" Mandrill una muy buena banda.YouTube

Gloria Dulan-Wilson Thanks so much Tony for the memories. Interestingly enough, our Sun/Son Ra and I were talking about Lou and the group earlier this afternoon. I think the only thing i would add is that 90% of all the songs and music were composed by Lou, and Carlos did most of the lead singing because - according to Lou - his voice was perfect for ballads. Our Sun/Son - Ra performs Spoken Word, and has very much the talent and creative DNA his father and uncles have. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK - Glo W

 This has led to a MANDRILL BINGE.  So I'm sharing some of their works you.  Hope you enjoy them as much as they did performing them.

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4:51

Mandrill "Fencewalk" Live Montreux 2002

Neftali Santiago

247K views

STAY BLESSED

Hope you enjoyed this romp through Mandrill Land - 
Stay Blessed & 
ECLECTICALLY BLACK 


NOW THAT YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT/


Stay Blessed  &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK 

Gloria Dulan-Wilson

 


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