Mandrill is a funk band formed in Brooklyn, New York City in 1968. The band was formed by three brothers: Carlos Wilson (trombone, vocals), Lou Wilson (trumpet, vocals) and Ric Wilson (sax, vocals). The brothers were born in Panama and grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. Parts of their songs had been sampled by many hip-hop acts such as Public Enemy, Shawty Lo, Big L, Kanye West and Jin. Beneath funk they combine many other styles like latin, salsa, rock, blues and soul to create their own colourful style.

Some of their songs have been used in the soundtracks of a couple of movies: The Greatest (1977) directed by Tom Gries and Monte Hellman; and The Warriors (1979) directed by Walter Hill. The band continues to perform live; their signature song is arguably "Fencewalk."

Composite Truth (1973) was band's commercially most successful album (and also artistically - many think). Its predecessor, Mandrill Is (1972), is highly regarded recording as well.

Albums

• 1970: Mandrill
• 1972: Mandrill Is
• 1973: Composite Truth
• 1973: Just Outside of Town
• 1974: Mandrilland
• 1975: Solid
• 1975: The Best of Mandrill
• 1976: Beast from the East
• 1977: The Greatest
• 1977: We Are One
• 1978: New Worlds
• 1980: Getting in the Mood
• 1997: Fencewalk: The Anthology
• 2000: The Ultimate Collection

Resources

• Official Website
• interview on TNJT.com/jazzlive