The Mardi Gras Indians, traditional black carnival societies of New Orleans, are as responsible for the birth of R&B as anybody, having influenced the city's musicians for years while remaining within their community all but invisible to outsiders. Their music consists of call-and-response lead/choral singing and hot, biting percussion in a Caribbean mold, emphasizing the Crescent City's historical ties with French Haiti and West Africa. Unlike many regional traditions, Indian-masking continues to thrive and some of the younger Indians have now formed the Wild Magnolias. With their blinding sequins and feathers (the inspiration for Dr. John's recent threads, most likely) they are the prototype glitter band, and they are backed on record and in concert by the New Orleans Project, a talented group which includes veteran players like Willie Tee (keyboards) and Snooks Eaglin (guitar). Their first album may become somewhat monotonous to non-dancing listeners, since the format varies little from cut to cut, but it does provide nonstop, on-your-feet funk stylings and it promises a great deal more. The Wild Magnolias have the energy—and the roots—to develop into something very special. (RS 171)

BOB PALMER