Formed 1968 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
Mandrill, at various times, comprised of:
Carlos D. Wilson (trombone / flute / guitar / percussion)
Ric Wilson MD (sax / percussion / vocals)
Louis Wilson (trumpet / congas / percussion / vocals), (b. Panama d. 7th January 2013, Southern California, U.S.A)
Wilfredo 'Wolf' Wilson (bass / congas / percussion / vocals)
Charles Padro (drums)
Fudgie Kae Solomon (bass)
Bundie Cenas (bass)
Neftali Santiago (drums / percussion / vocals)
Juaquin Jessup (lead guitar / percussion / vocals)
Omar Mesa
Marc Rey
Keith Barry
Eli Bruegemann
Michael BeHolden
Stacey Lamont Sydnor
Gemi Taylor
and
Claude 'Coffee' Cave II (keyboards / percussion / vocals)
Mandrill were formed initially in the early '70's by the Wilson brothers who found other members by advertising in local New York music papers.
The seven members played over 20 instruments.
mandrill - 1971 / mandrill is - 1972 / just outside of town - 1973 / composite truth - 1973
Shortly after settling on a line-up they signed with Polydor and cut 'Mandrill Is'.
Building a following for their earthy funk sound they recorded a further Polydor album 'Composite Truth' (1973) before moving to Los Angeles and switching labels to United Artists.
mandrilland - 1974 / beast from the east - 1975 / solid - 1975 / we are one - 1977
Here they released 'Solid' (1975).
In the U.K. their popularity began to take off in 1977 upon signing with Arista.
Mandrill also worked on the soundtracks for the Muhammad Ali movie 'The Greatest' (in 1977) and the cult gang film 'The Warriors' (in 1979).
Their first album for the label, 'We Are One', featured 'Funky Monkey' and 'Can You Dig It', produced by Jeff Lane.
new worlds - 1978 / gettin in the mood - 1980
The following year they self-produced a second Arista album 'New Worlds' from which 'It's So Easy Lovin' You' and 'Mean Streets' became in-demand 'rare grooves' in the late 1980's.
Fudgie Kae Solomon died of a drug overdose at a later date.
energize - 1982
Mandrill may have been the most musically ambitious of all the funk bands, something that hindered them commercially throughout their careers.
Albums:
Mandrill (Polydor Records 1971)
Mandrill Is (Polydor Records 1972)
Composite Truth (Polydor Records 1973)
Just Outside of Town (Polydor Records 1973)
Mandrilland (Polydor Records 1974)
Solid (United Artists Records 1975)
Beast from the East (United Artists Records 1975)
We Are One (Arista Records 1977)
New Worlds (Arista Records 1978)
Getting in the Mood (Arista Records 1980)
Energize (Montage Records 1982))
Sunshine (Voice Distributions Records 2003)
