What makes Your Mama Don't Dance by Charles Kynard notable?

This album is significant for its unique blend of funk and jazz, contributing to the growing popularity of the jazz-funk genre in the early '70s. It features a cover of Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition,' which became a notable hit and showcased Kynard's ability to reinterpret popular songs while maintaining artistic integrity. Released in 1973, Your Mama Don't Dance is Charles Kynard's second album following his debut, which had laid the groundwork for his fusion of jazz and soul. At this point in his career, Kynard was beginning to carve out a niche in the jazz-funk scene, demonstrating his prowess as a keyboardist and bandleader.

How many songs are on Your Mama Don't Dance?

Your Mama Don't Dance has 8 tracks, running approximately 31 minutes.

Your Mama Don't Dance

Charles Kynard · 1973

31 min · 8 tracks

Funky grooves meld with soulful instrumentation, creating an infectious energy that captures the essence of early '70s jazz and R&B.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Superstition — Kynard's rendition transforms this classic into a vibrant jam filled with rhythmic improvisation, highlighting his keyboard skills and tight ensemble playing.
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Your Mama Don't Dance — The title track encapsulates the album's upbeat vibe, featuring catchy hooks and lively brass arrangements that invite listeners to engage and dance.
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Zambezi — This track stands out with its extended improvisational sections and rich harmonic textures, showcasing Kynard's creative vision within the jazz-funk framework.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album blends funk and jazz effectively, with strong musicianship but uneven pacing.

What we noticed

The tempo varies across tracks, with several maintaining a consistent mid-tempo feel while others introduce faster rhythms, creating dynamic shifts.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Your Mama Don't Dance

The song shifts from playful commentary on dancing generational divides to a spirited chorus that invites participation.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Superstition 4:44
2 The World Is a Ghetto 2:59
3 Momma Jive 3:24
4 I Got So Much Trouble 5:06
5 Your Mama Don't Dance 2:36
6 Zambezi 5:34
7 Summer Breeze 3:25
8 You've Got It Bad Girl 3:47

What to play next

Go back to

Woga

1972

Full Charles Kynard discography Artists like Charles Kynard

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata