Coming together in Brooklyn during the late '60s, Mandrill concocted a unique multi-genre style that's hard to describe but easy to dig. Seven members deep, they fused psychedelic rock, serious funk, jazz, salsa, and just about anything else they could get their hands on, blending it all into a sonic stew that set them apart from the pack. Sounding like a cross between War, Steppenwolf, The Headhunters, Santana, Rare Earth, and Chicago, they released six albums during their early-'70s heyday but have continued recording and touring right through the '00s. Mandrill is their debut full-length from 1970, and it's a perfect starting point for listeners both new and old. With 10 songs that go all over the place stylistically, you're guaranteed to never be bored. Mandrill's work has been sampled by countless hip-hop artists over the years (including Public Enemy and Eminem), but the originals still sound the best. Check out "Warning Blues," "Chutney," and the flute-laden, exhaustively titled "Peace and Love (Amani Na Mapenzi)—Movement III (Time)."