In The Groove

Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media's 1973 masterwork captures the band's bold evolution beyond genre boundaries. Building on their jazz-rock foundation since 1969, "In the Groove" weaves sharp jazz sensibilities with rock's edge and  funk's propulsive energy into a cohesive, sophisticated sound. Crafted as a deliberate counterpoint to The Crusaders' contemporary work, the album showcases the group's command of complex arrangements and their pursuit of what they termed "sophisticated black feeling"—a sonic identity that transcends traditional fusion categorization. The result is music that balances intellectual rigor with undeniable groove, marking a pivotal moment in Soul Media's artistic trajectory.