Black Truth Rhythm Band – Ifetayo LP Soundway (UK)

Soundway presents a remastering of the 1976 album ‘Ifetayo’ by Black Truth Rhythm Band, with the addition of the single ‘Imo’ included on the 1LP.

Led by the charismatic Oluko Imo, ‘Ifetayo’ was the only release from the Afro-centric, Trinidadian band. Whereas most of their peers at the time were looking to the funk of the USA and James Brown for inspiration, Black Truth Rhythm Band looked to Africa – fusing rhythms from Africa and the West Indies with elements of jazz, funk, calypso and soul.

From an early stage in their career it was the African influence that set Black Truth Rhythm Band apart from other West Indian bands. Formed in 1971, the group looked further afield than the USA for their influences, more specifically to Africa, even going as far as giving themselves African names and dressing in African clothes. At the time finding African records in the West Indies was particularly difficult, making the band’s choice of influences even more niche.

In 1975 Imo took his musicians into the studio to record the album ‘Ifetayo’. Imo played bass, kalimba, conga, flute and percussion as well as lead vocals. The album was released the following year in 1976 and despite being released in the US, remained an underground, albeit unique and forward-thinking record that has remained out of print for years now.

‘Ifetayo’ was to be the only release from Black Truth Rhythm Band but Imo continued his music and love of African rhythms, going onto record with Fela Kuti in 1988 and later on perform with members of Fela’s Egypt 80 band.