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Description
The Lightmen Plus One's *Energy Control Center* stands as a curious artifact, a mid-Seventies funk jazz fusion experiment that feels as much like a secret handshake as a public statement. It's not merely a collection of grooves; it is an auditory architecture built around the twin pillars of organ-driven propulsion and a drummer's dexterity that defies the rigid tempos of its era. The band's approach is a deliberate rejection of the commercial funk templates dominating the scene at the time; instead, they cultivate a dense, polyrhythmic texture that leans heavily into post-bop improvisation while maintaining a kinetic, danceable momentum.
At the heart of the ensemble lies the Hammond organ, a staple of the late 60s funk and jazz scene, but here it is wielded with a precision that suggests a mathematical underpinning rather than mere soulful flourish. The rhythm section is less about the laid-back shuffle of Motown or Philly soul and more about the complex interplay of drum and bass that one might expect from a prog-rock band. This is evident in the album's title track, where the organ lines lock into a percussive groove that is almost industrial in its intensity. It is an aesthetic choice that places the band at the intersection of the psychedelic rock era and the emerging world of progressive funk, though they avoid the prog-rock excesses in favor of a tighter, more functional groove.
While the album is not without its share of conventional funk elements, such as the occasional saxophone solo that nods to the traditions of the genre, the overall sound is one of exploration rather than imitation. The production is relatively straightforward, allowing the organic nature of the instruments to shine through without the gloss of modern studio techniques. This minimalism is a deliberate choice that speaks to the band's desire to create something that feels both immediate and timeless, a quality that is rare in the highly saturated landscape of 1970s funk and jazz recordings. *Energy Control Center* is, in essence, a document of a specific moment in music history that was more concerned with the purity of the instrumental interaction than with the commercial imperatives of the day.
Ultimately, the album is a testament to the band's ambition to push the boundaries of what was considered possible in the funk jazz genre. It is an ambitious, if somewhat obscure, work that rewards careful listening and offers a unique perspective on the musical landscape of the early 1970s. For the serious collector or the curious listener, it represents a fascinating chapter in the evolution of funk jazz, one that is as much about the exploration of sound as it is about the music itself.
* [The Lightmen Plus One | Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lightmen_Plus_One)
* [Energy Control Center | Discogs](https://www.discogs.com/release/4377617)
* [The Lightmen Plus One - Energy Control Center | Tidal](https://tidal.com/album/5949912/u)
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