BO DIDDLEY - “THE BLACK GLADIATOR” (1970)

Dusty Groove sez:

“One of Bo Diddley’s best funky albums! This one’s a powerhouse of original tracks, played by Bo with a heavy rockin’ group, and some very dope arrangements that bring out the best of his funky side. We don’t know who’s playing drums, but they’ve got a nice heavy handed approach that makes these tracks really boom!…Proof that Bo was still a major player at this later point in his career!“

Anyone expecting more of the same from Bo must’ve been aghast at his funk transformation. The before-and-after is almost as startling as Miles Davis’ from around the same time. Side 1 is the stronger of the two here, with the sultry, slinking “Power House” and the explosive album opener “Elephant Man”. Side 2 shows off Bo’s misogynist streak with “Shut Up, Woman”, one of Bo’s more repulsive tracks.

I only wish that I could find a bigger LP cover scan for you, because in it you can see in detail Bo’s “shirt”, a proto-S&M overalls getup made entirely out of pant belts! This guy wasn’t fucking around.

Bo Diddley - “The Black Gladiator” LP (ZIP file)

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