Letta Mbulu / Lorez Alexandria - What's Wrong With Groovin' / Send In The Clowns

Year Released: 1970s (compilation reissue)
Genre: Soul / Jazz / Vocal Jazz

Description:
This pairing brings together two timeless sides of soulful sophistication: South African singer Letta Mbulu’s “What’s Wrong With Groovin’” and jazz vocalist Lorez Alexandria’s version of “Send In The Clowns.”
Originally produced by David Axelrod and arranged by Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, Mbulu’s track first appeared in 1967 on Capitol Records — an irresistible hybrid of Afro-soul rhythm and Los Angeles jazz orchestration. Driven by rolling percussion and a breezy horn section, it delivers a message of joy through movement and groove. Long overlooked on release, it became a coveted rare-groove classic rediscovered by London DJs in the 1990s and later reissued by labels like Blue Note and Capitol Vaults.

The flip, Lorez Alexandria’s take on Stephen Sondheim’s “Send In The Clowns,” transforms the Broadway ballad into a smoky, late-night soul-jazz meditation, marked by lush strings and Alexandria’s expressive phrasing.

Sampling / Influence:
“What’s Wrong With Groovin’” has been sampled and remixed by contemporary producers in the acid-jazz and house scenes, most notably by Mondo Grosso and DJ Spinna, and remains a dance-floor standard in modern jazz-soul sets. Alexandria’s version of “Send In The Clowns” has been covered by numerous jazz singers, reflecting her enduring interpretive influence.