Shaft

Eliseo Pech, a saxophonist from a Yucatán family with deep musical roots, later settled in Quintana Roo in southern Mexico, near the Belize border. That move brought a strong ska and reggae influence into his sound.

In the early 1970s, he formed Ely Combo, soon joined by Belizean singer Anthony Jones. Together they recorded just a couple of albums, filled with covers of reggae and funk favourites.

This single pairs their takes on Isaac Hayes’ 1971 worldwide hit Shaft and the dancefloor staple Express Yourself, first recorded by Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band. Ely Combo were among the first Mexican bands to bring Jamaican rhythms into their repertoire.

Tracklist

• Side A: Shaft
• Side B: Express Yourself