Darondo
Let My People Go

William Pulliam, the real name of Darondo, is a soul-funk singer from the 70s, the golden age of black music, unknown to most, but let me tell you sincerely, with style to spare.

I believe that this album, among other things released only recently, is his only one, considering he produced only singles throughout his career, which are precisely collected in this “Let My People Go.”

The album could be the perfect soundtrack for a 70s black b-movie, like Shaft or Superfly, which Uncle Quentin would love, if you get my point. No need to spell out the references. Practically, Darondo is a smoothie, a blend of the best of what was happening in 70s black music in the States, with all the “coolness” that only the West Coast can pull off.
His voice alternately reminds me (sometimes even within the same song...) of Bill Withers and Al Green, Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, Bobby Womack and James Brown, for whom he also opened concerts, and even... Nina Simone. I'm not kidding, listen to believe.

“Let My People Go,” the track that gives the album its title and is my favorite, is a classic Curtis Mayfield piece, with a prominent bass and background guitar. “Legs” is funk incarnate, pure Prince, with Zappa doing the backing vocals, it's hard to believe the good old Prince from Minneapolis didn't give it a listen. “Didn’t I” is a wonderful ballad reminiscent of the Delfonics, where the voice at times truly sounds like good Marvin Gaye’s.

“Listen To My Song” and “I Want So Bad” would make even Otis Redding, the putative father of those above mentioned, rub his eyes. If you like the genre in question, truly a nice little disc, the only flaw, if it can even be called a flaw… a bit short, to be honest, only 36 minutes.