Essra Mohawk

These three recordings represent nearly a decade of work by the marginally known yet awesomely talented Sandy Hurvitz, aka Essra Mohawk. The first of these three albums was issued by Frank Zappa's Bizarre imprint. It introduced listeners to the Mothers' latest member (she was called Uncle Meat). While it was her 1970 album, Primordial Lovers, that garnered her most of her acclaim, none of theses titles should be overlooked. Each is full of fine melodies, solid lyrical skill, and excellent hooks. Mohawk may not have gathered the same popular adulation as Laura Nyro or Joni Mitchell or Carole King, but it's not because she is less talented, as these offerings all attest. Tracks such as "Openin' My Love Doors" from Essra Mohawk, "Woman" and "Three Hawks" from Sandy's Album Is Here at Last!, and "Summersong" and "I Wanna Feel Ya" from Essra all showcase the many dimensions of her gift. This is a welcome box to add to Rhino Handmade's reissue of Primordial Lovers, and should be sought out by serious fans of '70s-era singer/songwriters. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide