Idris Muhammed – Turn this Motha Out

This oft sampled record by drummer Idris Muhammed is a cinematic jazz funk classic. Opener “Could Heaven Ever Be Like this” is as joyous as its name sounds with Muhammad’s toms driving the action. Frank Floyd’s vocals are almost ghostly and glide across the track surrounded by instrumentation that’s intense and textured. The title track “Turn this Mutha Out” is a hard hitting dancefloor classic and you can clearly hear the influence of producer Dave Matthews, who worked closely with James Brown for many years. The record takes a romantic turn with “Moon Hymn,” a track that postures less to the dance floor and leans into smooth jazz territory. Overall, Turn this Mutha Out is shamelessly funky and its no wonder everyone from Drake to Susumu Yokota have sampled the album’s undeniable grooves.

– Tana Yonas

Recommended – “Could Heaven Ever Be Like this”, “Tasty Cakes”,“Turn this Motha Out”, and “Moon Hymn”