SUPER FLY T.N.T. (OST)

There are certainly a few surprises that go with this record and this review. First of all I'm sure more than a few of you are surprised to see the soundtrack to Superfly II on a progressive rock website. Secondly, I'm surprised that proggy African highlife band Osibisa got the nod to do this soundtrack, especially when you consider the fact that Curtis Mayfield's first Superfly soundtrack was one of the most successful soundtracks of all time. Finally, I was really surprised to find this soundtrack in a thrift store in reasonable condition, I bet it fetches top dollar on the internet.

I love crime movie soundtracks, and 70s blaxploitation soundtracks are the cream of the crop. As I have mentioned in other reviews, crime movie soundtracks and progressive rock have much in common. Both create new types of music by combining jazz, experimental electronics, modern orchestral music and all manner of percussion from around the world.

Although they were probably a surprise choice, Osibisa turns out to be the perfect band for this soundtrack that combines proggy melodies, African grooves, psychedelic guitar, imaginative horn arangements, incredible polyrhythmic percussion sections, lots of loud and up-front B3 playing and a certain lounge- exotica 'moderness' that is always a part of any great soundtrack.

This is a great record, thought provoking and fun at the same time, the epitome of damn good serious music played by top-notch musicians and presented with just enough 70s kitsch so that it is totally devoid of any pretentiousness.