Brainchild of saxophonistbandleadercomposer Plunky Nkabinde Branch, Oneness of Juju was one of the flagship ensembles of a fiercely political independent black music scene in early 1970s America. The band's signature piece ‘African Rhythms’, which became hugely popular during the British ‘rare groove’ revival of the 1980s and 90s, nailed Branch's colours to the mast of the ‘Motherland’ in no uncertain terms. Face paint, dashikis and a credo of Umoja – unity – were part of the cultural statement.

Heavy percussive grooves, funky basslines, chanted vocal choruses and surging horn lines made for an irresistible mix, and this excellent 2CD/3LP anthology is more than welcome as the original releases don't come cheap these days. The first incarnation of the group was called Juju, and had a more abstract, avant-garde leaning, while the revamped OOJ was a tighter, song-based affair that reflected the influence of James Brown, Sly & The Family Stone and Brass Construction among others. Pieces such as the big club favourite ‘Every Way But Loose’, with its unforgettably hot sax hook, are testimony to how well Plunky and crew were able to move with the times and keep their identity intact. These 40-year-old songs are simply getting younger.