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Hand picked records important to the history of Soul Strut.

 - 'Nard

  • Bernard Wright

    'Nard LP (1981)

    Arista GRP

Ranked #97 in the Soul Strut 200

Jazz keyboard prodigy Bernard Wright recorded his debut at just 17 years old in 1980 under the tutelage of the king of smooth Dave Grusin.  A native of Jamaica, Queens , Wright brought the block party jams to the studio adding more of a future 80s funk vibe to the Grusin's signature Weather Channel jazz productions.  'Nard is a sophisticated jazz funk record that's been championed by crate diggers for decades.   The album is short and sweet with only 9 tracks. It begins with the roller boogie jam "Master Rocker", a sweet seductive mid tempo clapper not too far from label mate Tom Browne's hit "Funkin' for Jamaica".  'Nard also features the classic pimp strutting anthem, the helium voiced rap song "Haboglabotribin'" famously sampled by Snoop Dogg.  Other highlights include the airy jazz funk of "Spinnin'" and the Ghetto Blaster certified "Just Chillin' Out".   Wright went on to have modest success after this release with his 1985 R&B hit "Who Do You Love” which was brought back to life in the 90s by LL Cool J.


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