Artist page · 05/07/2026
About
Over 500 vinyl pressings including key 1970s LPs; 'Mandrill Is' and 'We Are One' are prized by collectors.
Mandrill emerged from Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in 1968 as a collective led by the Wilson brothers. Their sound combines elements of funk, soul, jazz fusion, Latin rhythms, and psychedelic touches. Throughout the 1970s, the band released numerous studio albums primarily on Polydor and later Arista, which have become staples for vinyl collectors. Their productions feature rich brass sections, complex rhythms, and a diverse tracklist that includes hits like "Fencewalk" and "Children Of The Sun." Mandrill's catalog offers a broad palette of styles involving jazz-funk, afrobeat, and soul that resists easy categorization.
Collectors particularly value albums such as 1972's "Mandrill Is," 1973's "Composite Truth," and 1977's "We Are One." Multiple pressings exist world…
Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Wilson Brothers Records · 2019
Montage Records · 1982
Arista · 1980
Arista · 1978
Arista · 1977
Arista · 1977
United Artists Records · 1975
United Artists Records · 1975
Polydor · 1974
Polydor · 1973
Polydor · 1973
Polydor · 1972
Polydor · 1971
Wilson Bros. Records · Playlist
The tracks that sum up ManDrill's career.
The essentials
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
This 1972 album showcases Mandrill's signature fusion of funk and soul with eleven tracks featuring deep grooves and dynamic brass arrangements.
A key 1973 release mixing Latin and funk influences over eight tracks including "Fencewalk" and "Polk Street Carnival."
Released in 1977, this funk and disco flavored album contains seven tracks with notable songs like "Funky Monkey" and "Love One Another."
Go further
Artists who share part of ManDrill's musical DNA.
Collectors
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Face B
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
One of funk's most progressive outfits with an expansive, eclectic vision.— Music critics
Mandrill was formed in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in 1968 by brothers Carlos, Lou, and Ric Wilson, who contributed on trombone, trumpet, and saxophone respectively, blending their Panamanian heritage with American funk.
"Mandrill Is" was released in 1972 featuring eleven tracks with dynamic funk rhythms and brass, including standout cuts like "Ape Is High," "Children Of The Sun," and "I Refuse To Smile." The album is considered a definitive work.
In 1977, a Japanese original promo LP of "We Are One" was issued on Arista with catalog number IES-80990, highly sought after with a price peak near 94 euros, signaling collector demand for original pressings.
The Wilson brothers jammed with renowned musicians like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and James Brown before and during Mandrill's early years, contributing to the band's eclectic and progressive sound.
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Essential albums include 'Mandrill Is' (1972), 'Composite Truth' (1973), and 'We Are One' (1977), prized for their funk and soul fusion and multiple original pressings.
Mandrill was formed in Brooklyn in 1968 and their music spans funk, soul, jazz fusion, Latin, and Afro-Cuban influences.
The 1977 original Japanese promo pressing on Arista (catno IES-80990) is the most valuable, with prices reaching upwards of 90 euros.
Mandrill fuses Caribbean, Latin, African, and American funk elements with jazz and psychedelic influences for a diverse sound.
Tracks like 'Fencewalk,' 'Fat City Strut,' and 'Mango Meat' attract the highest playcounts, reflecting the band’s signature funk sound.
Yes, original pressings from Italy, Spain, and Germany exist, including 'Just Outside Of Town' and 'Composite Truth,' with varying prices and availability.
Mandrill’s vinyl is mostly available as LP albums, with some limited edition box sets and promos in special editions across countries.
Mandrill’s records can be found in French vinyl shops and online marketplaces offering various editions, including French Touch linked releases by related artists.
Transparency
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
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