The Evil that Lurks Within Posted by floodwatch

JD & The Evil's Dynamite Band: Everglades, Part 1 and Flames of Darkness From: Explodes Across the Nation [Soul Fire, 2001] Few pleasures in life are as rewarding as discovering a great label and slowly exploring its catalogue, finding that every release under its imprint is worth owning. Such has been my experience with the now-defunct Soul Fire label, whose torch was passed in 2004 to Leon Michels (of blogger faves El Michels Affair) and his Truth and Soul organization. One of the gems he took under his wing was a bizarre little record from an outfit calling themselves JD & The Evil's Dynamite Band. Like most of the label's output, Explodes Across the Nation was recorded in 2001, but its fidelity suggests something more akin to an old dusty reel committed to tape 30 years earlier. Part of what makes this record so appealing is its undeniable air of mystery. Various Internet searches turn up next to nothing, and the production credits on the LP reveal even less. Who is JD, and what's with his band's name? The music itself plays into this aura, and could best be described as Miles Davis' band from the Agharta/Pangaea era (1975) on so many psychotropic substances that they're about to collapse onstage. The eleven instrumentals contained within are laced with backwards tape loops, torture-chamber percussion, and the occasional menacing voice chanting, "DIE." Hell, there's even something about the tropical cover that makes me uneasy, as if there's an evil presence lurking in the shadows behind that chapel. "Everglades, Part 1" was the track that first introduced me to the band, as it was one of the selections featured on the Soul Fire: The Majestic Collection comp issued by Truth and Soul. It's a journey through the Florida swamp at night, the air so thick it could be cut with a knife and the dense vegetation barely illuminated by threads of moonlight. "Flames of Darkness" hides its wicked secrets behind a facade of funky organ comping, bubbly Latin percussion, and a surf guitar that is perfectly content to play exactly one note on every downbeat. Explodes Across the Nation is highly recommended for those who prefer their funk with a darker edge; indeed, few records sound remotely like it. Not to come across as a vinyl snob, but it really is the preferred format of choice with this music, and can be ordered directly from the Truth and Soul website.