Yet another unearthed treasure from the Twickenham-based Pure Pleasure people, 1979's Levels of Consciousness features San Francisco percussionist and Oneness of JuJu member Michael ‘Babatunde’ Lea's upbeat Afro-Caribbean percussive virtuosity given extra texture by some of the musical (echoes of Isaac Hayes, Earth Wind & Fire, Curtis Mayfield et al) and political concerns of the time, and an impressive array of guests.

Given the pedigrees of many of the players here, the record is expectedly eclectic and the moods vary, often within the same track: from breezy and relaxed to fiery and molten; from silky and seductive to atavistic and earthy. Although the guests never fail impress (Boxley and Shido in particular, who were relative newcomers at the time, but also Fiero, Buchtel, Sun Ra alumnus Priester and Murphy, whose flute solo on ‘It's That Simple’ is just exquisite), it's Mr Lea himself who's the star of this particular show.

The now 73-year-old Lea, who's still playing and teaching, was inspired by Nigerian drum titan Babatunde Olatunji at a young age, adopted the master's name and used his weapons of choice – drums, timbales and congas – to deliver the best tunes here (the self-penned, jazz-funk title track and ‘Plea From The Soul’). His playing is never less than impressive (and sometimes jaw-dropping), the energy never flags and his enthusiasm and commitment shines through, even on disc.

Levels of Consciousness undeservedly sank without trace upon its original release, and with mint originals now fetching three figures, Pure Pleasure has done jazz collectors – and those with an interest in the 1970s San Francisco Bay Area scene in particular – a huge service with this fabulously crisp-sounding reissue.