Napoleon Murphy Brock Featuring Gregarious Movement - After Frank: 1st Movement

Back to the bars intimate soul soiree

Besides his stints as lead vocalist, saxophonist and exotic dancer with the mid-70s incarnation of Frank Zappa’s Mothers, then later briefly reunited with Zappa in the early 80s, the spectacularly-monikered Napoleon Murphy Brock previously had some form as a vocalist and saxophonist of note with San Jose acts the Napoleon 5 and the Soul Committee – the latter featuring his long-term collaborators organist Clifford Coulter and drummer Billy Ingram.

Despite the grandiose and ever-so-prog-sounding handle the trio were, on the evidence of this previously unreleased and charmingly low-key 1977 live recording from the C’est Bonne club in Santa Cruz, a rootsily soulful house band. Throughout it Napoleon and co exhibit a pronounced weakness for the recent output of the Ohio Players, three of the album’s five tracks (Skin Tight, Heaven Must Be Like This and Fire) all Players covers. Given his sterling performances with Zappa, one of the chief surprises is the fact that Brock only takes the mic for a cover of Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together, with drummer Billy Ingram covering most of the vocal duties. Cheesy for sure, but funky with it.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Crossfire Publications | 9509-2

Reviewed by Grahame Bent
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