Leon's debut solo album feels more like a Broadway stage production than the intimate singer-songwriter experience it is proported to be. Backed often by full-throated gospel choir along with cream-of-the-crop musicians like George Harrison, Steve Winwood, and Wrecking Crew session drummer Jim Gordon, Russell holds court through a crazy trail of covers and orginals which would be covered to death by multitudes of future artists. Sometimes Leon gets a bit too lyrical for my taste, but that's a minor quibble.

A fairly typical mix of soul, funk, and rock from Redbone, highlighted by a stellar second side. This includes their proto-disco hit (and #1 single) "Come and Get Your Love", as well as the furious socially conscious jam "23RD and Mad" which ends the album.

Redbone steps back from the adventures of the previous two albums and plays it more safe. Too safe, in my opinion. The last track is a Zappa-like jam which spins its wheels for over nine minutes. Some editions include the single "We Were All Wounded At Wounded Knee" as a bonus track.

The Vegas brothers veer ever so slowly to the funk/soul side of the street on this album. Which isn't a bad thing - in fact, it diversifies their sound, and makes Message From A Drum another stellar entry in their catalog. "The Witch Queen of New Orelans" became the hit song, with its' proto-disco string arrangments which really amplify the voodoo angle that it was going for, but "Niji Trance", "Emotions", and "Fate" are entries that more than hold their own. "When You Got Trouble" has serious WAR vibes as well.

This should have been Redbone's debut. A very effective, intense, highly energetic cross between rock, R&B, pop, and their unique Native American-meets-Cajun vibe. Right from the jump they hit you with "Maggie", a pulsating, lethal, dance-friendly track, but the centerpiece here is the twin-bill jam of "Judgement Day" followed by "Without Reservation". The hyper-intensity and social messaging might turn off some listeners, but there is some levity to be found as well, as the loony "Drinkin' and Blo" can attest to.