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Ronnie Foster’s relationship with the keyboard started when he was a child taking classical lessons. An experience with the organ during a jam session made him choose the instrument for his professional focus. He worked as a sideman for Stanley Turrentine, Grant Green and George Benson before creating his own group, Energy II. His connection to Green helped him to get a contract with Blue Note records. “Mystic Brew” comes from the 1972 inaugural album Two Headed Freap. Foster recorded five albums for Blue Note that were ignored by mainstream jazz lovers and criticized by purists because of his travels into funk and soul territories. But years later his output would develop a cult following from UK acid jazz fans and become ample fodder for hip-hop producers. “Heartless,” “Funky Motion,” “Summer Song” and “Argentina” were some the strongest specimens of funky soulful jazz but Foster never had any hits. The ’70’s ended with him recording two albums for Columbia and making the decision to no longer be a bandleader. Foster relocated to Las Vegas and has had local success as a musical director and solo performer.