Pello Joxepe is in the bar, but this time he’s moving his hips to the sound of Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly funk-soul groove. These are the kind of psychedelic visions created by this esoteric “Akelarre Sorta”, an unparalleled gem. The African-American saxophonist, pianist and composer William S. Fischer, who worked in the 1950s with stars of the stature of Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Joe Zawinul and Roberta Flack, in 1972 made an album of catchy, funky versions of popular tunes. And that’s it, as simple as it is mysterious and surprising. Little more has ever been known about this recording or about the reasons behind William’s visit to the Basque Country. So here it is, ready to attract a new audience to join the cult following it has gradually built up over nearly 50 years.
Warning: Try it once and you’ll be hooked.