O'Donel Levy Simba VINYL LP
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Fast Delivery Australia Wide
Trackable Shipping
Currently unavailable
| Artist: | O'Donel Levy |
| Title: | O'Donel Levy Simba VINYL LP |
| Released: | 23/02/2024 |
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Please note this release date may be subject to change and also stock arrival can be subject to delays, in particular if this is an overseas release. |
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| Format: | VINYL LP |
| Country | EU/US |
| Barcode: | 7119691293318 |
| Catalogue number: | MRBLP296 |
| SKU: | WLF20272 |
| Condition: | BRAND NEW & SEALED |
| The items we sell are brand new and unused official releases supplied to us by record companies, unless stated otherwise in the listing. Generally all items are sealed (this will be stated in the listing title). Occasionally we may open an LP to confirm any colour variant. We sometimes sell used items, this will be shown in the listing. | |
First up, the spellbinding funk-fuelled, soul jazz album 'Simba', by guitar maestro O'Donel Levy.
Baltimore-born, Levy was already well regarded as one of the best up-and-coming jazz guitarists at the time of Simba's release. Having toured with George Benson and Jimmy McGriff, as well as featuring on McGriff's Black Pearl album on Blue Note, he went on to sign with Sonny Lester's Groove Merchant. Produced by Lester himself and recorded over two back- to- back days of sessions in 1973, Simba features a who's who of '70s session players. The album features the legendary studio drummer Steve Gadd, Cecil Bridgewater on Flugelhorn, bass by Tony Levin and arrangements by Manny Albam.
A masterclass in tight yet effortlessly funk-driven rhythms, the tracks showcase these musicians at their zenith. Album opener 'Bad, Bad, Simba' wouldn't have been out of place on a Lalo Schifrin '70s car chase soundtrack. Levy's playing is brilliant, bright and slick, with an infectiously exuberant energy that is complimented perfectly by Gadd's supreme drumming. 'Playhouse' serves up another vibrant offering, Wah Wah guitars, horns and flutes duelling it out in a fast-paced fashion.
The cinematic thread continues throughout, yet with the tempo taken down a notch. 'Sierra Lonely' and 'Sad, Sad, Simba' head into lush ballad territory, with superb arrangements by Albam and beautiful playing by Collins and Bridgewater on Flugelhorn. Here Levy shines without taking any limelight, as the players synergize to a relaxed perfection. 'Nigerian Knights' closes the album flawlessly, showcasing once more Levy's understated yet magnetic flow on the guitar.
Every track on 'Simba' is a winner. As with CTI Recordings of the same era, the feel and textures of Sonny Lester's productions have that pre-emptive, hip- hop aesthetic, which later producers would rework and reimagine. This album is expertly balanced, deftly arranged and magically executed, ebbing and flowing with a cool buoyancy that just grooves and grooves.
1. Bad, Bad, Simba
2. Kilimanjaro Cookout
3. Playhouse
4. Sierra Lonely
5. Sad, Sad, Simba
6. Joni
7. Nigerian Knights
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Keith Urban-Flow State @ Tears for Fears-Songs fro
Sent In By: Debra on 21 August 2026I was very happy with my purchases both albums are great. I love Keith's album as he has recorded some old songs which are great and the new as well. Tears for Fears it was a great album which I did not have so decided to buy this as well. The people at discrepancy were very helpful as I had order one and the added the other and they were very accommodating. I have bought vinyl from them before and always been happy with my purchases.
Faultless
Sent In By: Andrew on 30 July 2026Have been purchasing my vinyl from Discrepancy Records for a while now, they have a huge range at very competitive prices, always arrive quickly and extremely well packaged. Faultless service and wouldn't go anywhere else for all my vinyl needs.
Consistently superior
Sent In By: Louise on 22 July 2026I have been purchasing records from Discrepancy for ages and they always arrive well boxed, in excellent condition, with extra plastic covers. The communication with the organisation's customer service is exemplary - always honest, always timely and always helpful. I would not purchase from anywhere else.