I definately agree with all the other suggested albums (Urban Renewal, In
the Slot, Back to Oakland, East Bay Grease, Bump City) And Al is right,
everything they did after the 70s is pretty dodgy shit. Even so, I saw
them live around 1990 as a wee underage lad sneaking into some bar in San
Rafael on my first holliday to the states, and they were still way tight
and funky (even if there were only about three original members left...).
Speaking of which, nobody has mentioned the album "Live and in Living
Colour" which is one of my favourites. Recorded I think around 1973, side
B is a 25 minute version of "Knock Yourself Out" that is a serious
piece... Chester Thompson's organ solo and Lenny Picket's sax are both very
extended and very heavy.
If you're a vinyl head, they also did a Sheffield Lab direct to disk
recording some time in the 80s which is worth checking out if you can find
it ... not the best thing they ever recorded and prolly not worth getting
on CD, but it's still cool and you'll be amazed how good the vinyl sounds
... very live and in your face.
Peace
Kurt