Take It to the Streets

Led by saxophonist and vocalist Stan Bronstein, Elephant’s Memory is best remembered for backing John Lennon and Yoko Ono on Sometime in New York City, Approximately Infinite Universe, and Live in New York City (they also recorded an album for the Beatles’ Apple label). But before those brushes with fame, the band carved out a reputation as a political street band in Greenwich Village, and you can see them in action on the front cover of this album, released on the Metromedia label in 1970. The opening track, “Mongoose,” was a minor hit and is one funky, irresistible ride (ex-Country Joe & the Fish member David Cohen contributes guitar and keyboards), and the rest of the record brings that gloriously grimy, late-’60s Greenwich vibe-it’s no wonder Elephant’s Memory contributed a couple of tracks to the Midnight Cowboy soundtrack.