Grotto

Label: Odion Livingstone / Year: 2024

This album was the vintage rock heads response to the contemporary sounds of Jazz Funk, Fusion and Boogie.

Adapting to the tastes of the times – as well as their own maturing musical sensibilities – Grotto started transitioning from psych rock towards sleeker, more dancefloor-friendly grooves.

“As I grew older I think I got a bit jazzier,” Benson says. “I also listened to Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, Isley Brothers, Prince and a lot of funk groups from that era.”

“Hard rock was the content of the first album,” Amenechi agrees, “and funk / jazz / R&B the focus of album number two. Especially with the late Toma Mason Jr. joining as bassist.”

The group’s second album, ‘Grotto II: Wait… No Hurry’ (released in 1979) reflected the growing sophistication of its members’ musical outlook. Fat, funky bass grooves rubbed shoulders with jazzy flute lines; space-age synthesizer tones punctuated good, old-fashioned crunchy rock riffs.

A favourite of DJs worldwide.