Young Disciples Road to Freedom

The Young Disciples were a British / American soulful funky band, who came to prominence through the rare groove / acid jazz scene happening in London around the late 80’s and early 90’s. They were formed there in 1990 by Marc Nelson (bass, guitar and organ) and Femi Williams (percussion and programming), with American soulstress Carleen Anderson supplying both vocals and additional keyboards. Anderson came from a very strong musical background and is the daughter of Vicki Anderson / Myra Barnes, one time James Brown vocalist. Her stepfather is Bobby Byrd who also did many cuts with Brown and in his own right.
They signed to Giles Petersons Talkin' Loud records and released their first single "Get Yourself Together". This was followed by "Apparently Nothin'", which became a #13 hit for the group in the UK and brought them to national attention. These singles were then quickly followed by the album, Road to Freedom.
"Road to Freedom" was recorded at the Solid Bond Studios (Paul Weller's personal studio) with many noted guests such as: Paul Weller, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Mick Talbot, Steve White and Max Beesley (yes the actor, he was a renowned percussionist playing with a variety of acts from the Brand New Heavies to Robbie Williams before breaking into acting). This album has been variously described as "era-defining" and “serving as the blueprint for the Neo-Soul genre” what ever that is? All I know though is its bloody excellent! An eclectic mix of all the coolest elements from the worlds of Jazz, Funk, Soul and then brought bang up-to-date, well for the early 90’s anyway with a sprinkling of hip hop with rapping and toasting from MC Mell'O', IG Culture and Masta Ace (they also worked with Outlaw Posse single version of Step Right On).
Talkin' Loud released the album in the UK in 1991, but It was later released in the United States, on Polygram Records, with some changes in the track list. On the British edition, the songs "All I Have" and "Step Right On" are instrumentals, but vocals by Anderson were mixed in for the US release. “All I Have” was particularly outstanding and it’s such a shame that it was not part of the UK release. I do however believe it did see release as part of an EP.
In spite of the success of the singles and the album, which peaked in the UK at #21, it was the only album the trio ever produced. According to Anderson, the album was a "fluke", as Nelson "never felt comfortable or wanted the role of being an artist". Anderson left the group in 1992, using the success of Apparently Nothin' to earn herself a solo recording contract with the larger Virgin Records company. Following this, the group disbanded, although the name was still used for remix production for many years. Nelson and Williams have continued to work behind the scenes in the music industry.
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I have always wondered what would have happened if they had made a follow up, but maybe after such an explosive entrance anything else would have seemed poor in comparison. Sometimes in music an LP just fits effortlessly into a moment in time and Road To Freedom certainly does that for me. Even now some 20yrs on, is it really as long as that, I still get goose bumps listening to tracks like the JB influenced “Move On” to the sweeping majesty and story telling of “Freedom Suite” and feel they have all stood those last 20yrs well.
Respected club DJ Trevor Nelson (No relation to Marc) has said of the album in 2006 that its combination of influences, with "clever, unpredictable productions" and Anderson's "low, smoky vocals", is deemed to be “one of the most important albums to emerge from the acid jazz scene”.
So if you want to know what was causing a storm on the underground dance scene in the early 90’s as an alternative to the Acid House phenomenon get this and appreciate the way they mixed the sounds of yesteryear and turned them into something new, fresh and very exciting.

Track listing


1. Get Yourself Together
2. Apparently Nothin'
3. Funky Yeh Funki (Mek It)
4. Talkin' What I Feel (feat Masta Ace)
5. All I Have (In Dub)
6. Move On
7. As We Come (To Be)
8. Step Right On (Dub)
9. Freedom Suite: (I) Freedom/ (II) Wanting / (III) To Be Free (feat IG Culture)
10.Young Disciples Theme (feat MC Mell'O')