For my final show in Black History Month, I’m highlighting this treasure trove of Rare Grooves from one of the Fathers of Funk History.
In 2016, Mandrill drummer Neftali Santiago, released tracks from previously recorded sessions. Like most old school Funk artists, his attempt to capitalize on the success of Uptown Funk, and the resurgence in popularity of the genre, lacked the financial backing, airplay and promotion to garner much success However, these compilations are an important inclusion to the legacy of Funk History, and reveal the untapped genius of this acclaimed musician. Listen, Enjoy and Support!
PART 2 – Neftali Santiago – Funkadrill
While on the road with Mandrill, Santiago built lasting friendships with members of the P-Funk family, including Gary Shider, Cordell “Boogie” Mosson, and George Black. In 1994, Santiago, now called “Funkadrill, teamed with the P-Funkers for what promised to be a MONSTER Funk album. Sadly, the project was not completed, and both Shider and Mosson have since passed away. But, the Funk lives on through Groves tasty enough to make your mouth water! Also featured, Thundercat, Pleasure, Badd Kitti, Zo! and Lettuce.
PART 1 – Neftali Santiago – Santiago
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Listen to Part 1- Santiago – 22 Somerset Dr (from Dropbox) |
Santiago left Mandrill in 1975 after a two-year run, and pursued a short lived, but fruitful solo career. Under the name Santiago, he recorded nine tracks which were complied on the album, 22 Somerset Dr., (the address of his childhood home.)
When Santiago resumed his relationship with Mandrill in 1977, his project was shelved, and remained unreleased for 40 years. In this hour, selected cuts from the album and some Mandrill’s greatest hits, on which Santiago contributed, are featured.
| Part 1 | |||
| Song | Artist | Album | Year |
| Feelin’ Good | Santiago | 22 Sommerset Dr |
2016 |
| Bionic Funk | Santiago | 22 Somerset Dr |
2016 |
| Detroit After Dark | BLAKBOT | Analog Dreams |
2019 |
| Sweet Nothings | Fat Night | Sweet Nothings |
2019 |
| Kofijahm (Coffee Jam) | Mandrill | Mandrill |
1972 |
| Blacks and Blues | Bobbi Humphrey | Blacks & Blues |
1973 |
| Set It Free | Santiago | 22 Somerset Dr |
2016 |
| Mornin Dew | Sunni Colón | Mornin Dew – A COLORS SHOW – Single |
2019 |
| Fencewalk | Mandrill | Composite Truth |
1973 |
| Land of the Leaping Nono | Santiago | 22 Somerset Dr |
2016 |
| Freakin’ (1978 Demo) | Santiago | 22 Somerset Dr |
2016 |
| Can You Get It | Mandrill | We Are One |
1977 |
| Part 2 | |||
| Song | Artist | Album | Year |
| Anointed Funk | Neftali Santiago | ||
| For Your Pleasure | Pleasure | Now is the Time |
2019 |
| W.T.F. (What The Funk) | Badd Kitti | single |
2019 |
| Royal Highness | Lettuce | Elevate |
2019 |
| No Sleep Til MTL | Potatohead People | Nick and Astro’s Guide to the Galaxy |
2019 |
| On The Four feat. Carmen Rodgers | Zo! | FourFront |
2019 |
| Whisper To Me | Orgone | Reasons |
2019 |
| Release the Funk (feat. Neftali Santiago, Gary Shider, Cordell Boogie Mosson & George Black) | Neftali Santiago (Funkadrill) |
2016 |
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| When Freaks Fall in Love | Garrett Shider | Regurgitated Youth |
2019 |
| Anxiety | Q | Forest Green (Deluxe) |
2019 |
| Black Qualls ft. Steve Lacy & Steve Arrington | Thundercat | It Is What It Is |
2020 |
| Funkadrillic Rhythm (feat. Cordell Boogie Mosson, Neftali Santiago & George Black) | Neftali Santiago (Funkadrill) |
2016 |
The Funk Excursion w/ Badd Kitti 