Idris Muhammad

Idris Muhammad

6720 fans

Born Leo Morris in New Orleans, American jazz drummer Idris Muhammad changed his name when he converted to Islam in the 1960s. A talented musician, he enjoyed playing a wide variety of styles of music and had a prolific performing and recording career, appearing on hundreds of albums as a sideman in addition to several as leader. Known for his funky playing style, he began his professional career early with an appearance on Fats Domino's 'Blueberry Hill' (1956). In 1965 he joined Lou Donaldson's band and performed on many of their albums between then and 1981, including 'Fried Buzzard' (1965), 'Blowing in the Wind' (1966), 'Pretty Things' (1970) and 'Cosmos' (1971). He appeared on a string of albums with other artists such as 'Calling Out Loud' with Nat Adderley in 1968, 'Goodies' with George Benson in 1968 and 'Carryin' On' with Grant Green in 1969.

The heart of Muhammad's output was in the 1970s, when the worlds of jazz, funk and R&B converged and he found the music which was the perfect combination of his influences. Albums 'Power of Soul' (1974), 'House of the Rising Sun' (1976) and 'Turn This Mutha Out' (1977) were superb examples of his work as leader, supported by artists such as trumpeter Randy Becker and keyboardist Bob James. He went on to release three more albums as leader in the 1970s, then 'Make It Count' and 'Kabsha' in 1980, 'My Turn' in 1992 and 'Right Now' in 1998.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Muhammad featured on several albums with Ahmad Jamal, including three linked albums titled 'The Essence Part One' (1995), 'Big Byrd: The Essence Part 2' (1995) and 'Nature: The Essence Part Three' (1997). These were followed by 'Picture Perfect' in 2000, 'In Search of Momentum' (2002) and 'It's Magic' (2008) amongst others. In 2010, he performed on the Roberto Magris album 'Mating Call'. He retired in 2011 after a long and industrious career and sadly died in 2014.

Top tracks

01
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
08:37
Writer: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino / Composers: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino
01
Loran's Dance
Idris Muhammad
The Essential Grover Washington, Jr.: The Columbia Years
10:40
Writer: Grover Washington, Jr. / Composers: Grover Washington, Jr.
02
Piece of Mind (Album Version)
Idris Muhammad
Power Of Soul
09:22
Writer: B. James / Composers: B. James
03
Turn This Mutha Out
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
06:50
Writer: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino / Composers: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino
01
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (Walker & Royce and Chris Lorenzo Remix)
Idris Muhammad
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (Walker & Royce and Chris Lorenzo Remix)
03:41
Writer: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino / Composers: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino
05
Sudan
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
10:52
Writer: T. Harrell - I. Muhammad / Composers: T. Harrell - I. Muhammad
03
Little Feet
Pharoah Sanders
Kabsha
04:51
Writer: Ray Drummond / Composers: Ray Drummond
01
House of the Rising Sun
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
04:42
Writer: Traditional / Composers: Traditional
01
You've Got to Have Freedom
Pharoah Sanders
Live...
14:17
Writer: Pharoah Sanders / Composers: Pharoah Sanders
06
Hey Pocky a-Way
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
06:06
Writer: Leo Nocentelli - George Porter, Jr. - Arthur Neville - Joseph Modeliste / Composers: Leo Nocentelli - George Porter, Jr. - Arthur Neville - Joseph Modeliste
03
Super Bad
Idris Muhammad
Black Rhythm Revolution!
05:25
Writer: James Brown / Composers: James Brown
02
Baia
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
04:39
Writer: R. Gilbert - A. Barroso / Composers: R. Gilbert - A. Barroso
02
Camby Bolongo
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
03:50
Writer: David Matthews / Composers: David Matthews
08
I Know You Don't Want Me No More
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
04:41
Writer: B. George / Composers: B. George
03
The Saddest Thing
Idris Muhammad
Power Of Soul
07:07
Writer: J. Beck / Composers: J. Beck
03
Blues for Santa Cruz
Pharoah Sanders
Live...
08:39
Writer: Pharoah Sanders / Composers: Pharoah Sanders
04
Pharomba
Idris Muhammad
Live...
13:26
Writer: Pharoah Sanders / Composers: Pharoah Sanders
04
Tasty Cakes
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
04:23
Writer: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino / Composers: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino
02
See Saw
Idris Muhammad
You Ain't No Friend Of Mine!
05:34
Writer: G. T'Nig / Composers: G. T'Nig
01
Express Yourself
Idris Muhammad
Black Rhythm Revolution!
05:30
Writer: Charles "Specs" Wright / Composers: Charles "Specs" Wright
02
Easy to Remember
Idris Muhammad
Live...
06:51
Writer: Lorenz Hart - Richard Rodgers / Composers: Lorenz Hart - Richard Rodgers
06
Moon Hymn
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
04:22
Writer: David Matthews / Composers: David Matthews
05
Crap Apple
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
05:07
Writer: David Matthews / Composers: David Matthews
01
Power of Soul
Idris Muhammad
Power Of Soul
07:04
Writer: J. Hendrix / Composers: J. Hendrix
04
Theme for New York City
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
03:26
Writer: D. Matthews / Composers: D. Matthews
07
Say What
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
04:05
Writer: David Matthews / Composers: David Matthews
03
Hard to Face the Music
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
04:49
Writer: Valerie Simpson - N. Ashford / Composers: Valerie Simpson - N. Ashford
01
Disco Man
Idris Muhammad
You Ain't No Friend Of Mine!
05:55
Writer: Carl Scott / Composers: Ben Carter
07
Pipe Stem
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
05:27
Writer: I. Muhammad - T. Harrell / Composers: I. Muhammad - T. Harrell
04
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (Walker & Royce and Chris Lorenzo Remix) (Mixed)
Idris Muhammad
Ultra Records presents: U R House (DJ Mix)
05:17
Writer: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino / Composers: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino
05
By The Red Sea
Idris Muhammad
Black Rhythm Revolution!
08:55
Writer: Idris Muhammad / Composers: Idris Muhammad
02
Peace And Rhythm Suite: Rhythm
Idris Muhammad
Peace And Rhythm
05:55
Writer: Clarence Thomas / Composers: Clarence Thomas
11
For Your Love (Special 12" Disco Mix)
Idris Muhammad
For Discos Only: Indie Dance Music From Fantasy & Vanguard Records (1976-1981)
06:55
Writer: Herb Jimmerson - Clayton Richardson / Composers: Herb Jimmerson - Clayton Richardson
04
Don’t Knock My Love
Idris Muhammad
Peace And Rhythm
04:45
Writer: Brad Shapiro - Wilson Pickett / Composers: Brad Shapiro - Wilson Pickett

Playlists

Similar artists

Lonnie Liston Smith
Lonnie Liston Smith
Donald Byrd
Donald Byrd
The Crusaders
The Crusaders
Deodato
Deodato
Jimmy McGriff
Jimmy McGriff
Maceo Parker
Maceo Parker
  • Discography
Albums
Live...
1982, 2003 Evidence Music Inc. under exclusive license to Evolution Ltd.
31-03-2026
Live...
01
You've Got to Have Freedom
Pharoah Sanders
Live...
14:17
Writer: Pharoah Sanders / Composers: Pharoah Sanders
02
Easy to Remember
Idris Muhammad
Live...
06:51
Writer: Lorenz Hart - Richard Rodgers / Composers: Lorenz Hart - Richard Rodgers
03
Blues for Santa Cruz
Pharoah Sanders
Live...
08:39
Writer: Pharoah Sanders / Composers: Pharoah Sanders
04
Pharomba
Idris Muhammad
Live...
13:26
Writer: Pharoah Sanders / Composers: Pharoah Sanders
05
Doktor Pitt
Walter Booker
Live...
21:34
Writer: Pharoah Sanders / Composers: Pharoah Sanders
Solid!
â„— 1998 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1998
Solid!
01
Solid
Eric Alexander
Solid!
07:53
Writer: Sonny Rollins / Composers: Sonny Rollins
02
Little Melonae
Eric Alexander
Solid!
08:34
Writer: Jackie McLean / Composers: Jackie McLean
03
Theme For Ernie
Eric Alexander
Solid!
07:37
Writer: Fred Lacey / Composers: Fred Lacey
04
Fire Waltz
Eric Alexander
Solid!
05:56
Writer: Mal Waldron / Composers: Mal Waldron
05
Four
Eric Alexander
Solid!
06:51
Writer: Miles Davis / Composers: Miles Davis
06
The Star-Crossed Lovers
Eric Alexander
Solid!
04:54
Composers: Duke Ellington - Billy Strayhorn
07
My Conception
Eric Alexander
Solid!
06:56
Writer: Sonny Clark / Composers: Sonny Clark
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
Kabsha
1980, 1994 Evidence Music Inc. under exclusive license to Evolution Ltd.
28-07-1994
Kabsha
01
Kabsha
Idris Muhammad
Kabsha
08:44
Writer: Idris Muhammad / Composers: Idris Muhammad
02
I Want To Talk About You
George Coleman
Kabsha
05:18
Writer: Billy Eckstine / Composers: Billy Eckstine
03
Little Feet
Pharoah Sanders
Kabsha
04:51
Writer: Ray Drummond / Composers: Ray Drummond
04
GCCG Blues
Pharoah Sanders
Kabsha
06:15
Writer: George Coleman / Composers: George Coleman
05
Soulful Drums
George Coleman
Kabsha
04:43
Writer: Joseph Thomas - Jack McDuff / Composers: Joseph Thomas - Jack McDuff
06
St. M
George Coleman
Kabsha
06:17
Writer: Bill Fischer / Composers: Bill Fischer
07
Kabsha (Alternate Take)
George Coleman
Kabsha
08:02
Writer: Idris Muhammad / Composers: Idris Muhammad
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
You Ain't No Friend Of Mine!
â„— 2019 Craft Recordings, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc.
01-01-1978
You Ain't No Friend Of Mine!
01
Disco Man
Idris Muhammad
You Ain't No Friend Of Mine!
05:55
Writer: Carl Scott / Composers: Ben Carter
02
See Saw
Idris Muhammad
You Ain't No Friend Of Mine!
05:34
Writer: G. T'Nig / Composers: G. T'Nig
03
The Doc
Idris Muhammad
You Ain't No Friend Of Mine!
07:29
Writer: Mike Wolff / Composers: Mike Wolff
04
You Ain't No Friend Of Mine
Idris Muhammad
You Ain't No Friend Of Mine!
06:46
Writer: Hiram Bullock / Composers: Hiram Bullock
05
Tell Me, Where Did We Go Wrong?
Idris Muhammad
You Ain't No Friend Of Mine!
05:06
Writer: Idris Muhammad / Composers: Idris Muhammad
06
Big Foot
Idris Muhammad
You Ain't No Friend Of Mine!
07:48
Writer: Sakinah Muhammad / Composers: Sakinah Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
(P) 1977 Sony Music Entertainment
05-09-1977
Turn This Mutha Out
01
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
08:37
Writer: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino / Composers: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino
02
Camby Bolongo
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
03:50
Writer: David Matthews / Composers: David Matthews
03
Turn This Mutha Out
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
06:50
Writer: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino / Composers: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino
04
Tasty Cakes
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
04:23
Writer: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino / Composers: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino
05
Crap Apple
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
05:07
Writer: David Matthews / Composers: David Matthews
06
Moon Hymn
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
04:22
Writer: David Matthews / Composers: David Matthews
07
Say What
Idris Muhammad
Turn This Mutha Out
04:05
Writer: David Matthews / Composers: David Matthews
House of the Rising Sun
(P) 1976, 2004 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Enteratinment
01-01-1975
House of the Rising Sun
01
House of the Rising Sun
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
04:42
Writer: Traditional / Composers: Traditional
02
Baia
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
04:39
Writer: R. Gilbert - A. Barroso / Composers: R. Gilbert - A. Barroso
03
Hard to Face the Music
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
04:49
Writer: Valerie Simpson - N. Ashford / Composers: Valerie Simpson - N. Ashford
04
Theme for New York City
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
03:26
Writer: D. Matthews / Composers: D. Matthews
05
Sudan
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
10:52
Writer: T. Harrell - I. Muhammad / Composers: T. Harrell - I. Muhammad
06
Hey Pocky a-Way
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
06:06
Writer: Leo Nocentelli - George Porter, Jr. - Arthur Neville - Joseph Modeliste / Composers: Leo Nocentelli - George Porter, Jr. - Arthur Neville - Joseph Modeliste
07
Pipe Stem
Idris Muhammad
House of the Rising Sun
05:27
Writer: I. Muhammad - T. Harrell / Composers: I. Muhammad - T. Harrell
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
Power Of Soul
(P) 1974 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
01-01-1974
Power Of Soul
01
Power of Soul
Idris Muhammad
Power Of Soul
07:04
Writer: J. Hendrix / Composers: J. Hendrix
02
Piece of Mind (Album Version)
Idris Muhammad
Power Of Soul
09:22
Writer: B. James / Composers: B. James
03
The Saddest Thing
Idris Muhammad
Power Of Soul
07:07
Writer: J. Beck / Composers: J. Beck
04
Loran's Dance
Idris Muhammad
Power Of Soul
10:40
Writer: Grover Washington, Jr. / Composers: Grover Washington, Jr.
Black Rhythm Revolution!
â„— 2020 Craft Recordings., Distributed by Concord.
01-01-1971
Black Rhythm Revolution!
01
Express Yourself
Idris Muhammad
Black Rhythm Revolution!
05:30
Writer: Charles "Specs" Wright / Composers: Charles "Specs" Wright
02
Soulful Drums
Idris Muhammad
Black Rhythm Revolution!
04:35
Composers: Jack McDuff - Joe Thomas
03
Super Bad
Idris Muhammad
Black Rhythm Revolution!
05:25
Writer: James Brown / Composers: James Brown
04
Wander
Idris Muhammad
Black Rhythm Revolution!
11:05
Writer: Idris Muhammad / Composers: Idris Muhammad
05
By The Red Sea
Idris Muhammad
Black Rhythm Revolution!
08:55
Writer: Idris Muhammad / Composers: Idris Muhammad
Peace And Rhythm
â„— 2022 Craft Recordings., Distributed by Concord.
01-01-1971
Peace And Rhythm
01
Peace And Rhythm Suite: Peace
Idris Muhammad
Peace And Rhythm
11:54
Writer: Idris Muhammad / Composers: Idris Muhammad
02
Peace And Rhythm Suite: Rhythm
Idris Muhammad
Peace And Rhythm
05:55
Writer: Clarence Thomas / Composers: Clarence Thomas
03
Brother You Know You’re Doing Wrong
Idris Muhammad
Peace And Rhythm
05:40
Writer: Sakinah Muhammad / Composers: Sakinah Muhammad
04
Don’t Knock My Love
Idris Muhammad
Peace And Rhythm
04:45
Writer: Brad Shapiro - Wilson Pickett / Composers: Brad Shapiro - Wilson Pickett
05
I’m A Believer
Idris Muhammad
Peace And Rhythm
05:20
Writer: Sakinah Muhammad / Composers: Sakinah Muhammad
Singles
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This Piano
2026 Idris Muhammad
16-01-2026
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This Piano
01
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This Piano
Idris Muhammad
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This Piano
02:48
Composers: Idris Muhammad
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (Walker & Royce and Chris Lorenzo Remix)
(P) 2022 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment under exclusive license to Ultra Records, LLC
12-08-2022
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (Walker & Royce and Chris Lorenzo Remix)
01
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (Walker & Royce and Chris Lorenzo Remix)
Idris Muhammad
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This (Walker & Royce and Chris Lorenzo Remix)
03:41
Writer: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino / Composers: David Matthews - Tony Sarafino
I'm So Glad
1980 Hitpool (104pro Media)
12-07-2016
I'm So Glad
01
I'm So Glad
Idris Muhammad
I'm So Glad
03:27
Writer: Herb Jimmerson / Composers: Herb Jimmerson
Featured in
The Essential Grover Washington, Jr.: The Columbia Years
This Compilation (P) 2013 Sony Music Entertainment
03-09-2013
The Essential Grover Washington, Jr.: The Columbia Years
01
Loran's Dance
Idris Muhammad
The Essential Grover Washington, Jr.: The Columbia Years
10:40
Writer: Grover Washington, Jr. / Composers: Grover Washington, Jr.
02
Strawberry Moon
Grover Washington, Jr.
The Essential Grover Washington, Jr.: The Columbia Years
04:22
Composers: Grover Washington, Jr.
03
The Look of Love (feat. Jean Carne)
Grover Washington, Jr.
The Essential Grover Washington, Jr.: The Columbia Years
04:36
Writer: Burt Bacharach - Hal David / Composers: Burt Bacharach - Hal David
04
Summer Nights
Grover Washington, Jr.
The Essential Grover Washington, Jr.: The Columbia Years
06:29
Composers: Marcus Miller
05
Sacred Kind of Love
Grover Washington, Jr.
The Essential Grover Washington, Jr.: The Columbia Years
05:39
Writer: Sami McKinney - Karin Rybar - Karl C. Porter / Composers: Sami McKinney - Karin Rybar - Karl C. Porter
06
Time out of Mind
Grover Washington, Jr.
The Essential Grover Washington, Jr.: The Columbia Years
05:03
Writer: Walter Becker - Donald Fagan / Composers: Walter Becker - Donald Fagan
07
Take Five (Take Another Five)
Grover Washington, Jr.
The Essential Grover Washington, Jr.: The Columbia Years
04:59
Writer: Paul Desmond / Composers: Paul Desmond
Access the complete album info (25 songs)
Soul Culture: 01 Straight Ahead Definitive Funk Fusion
(P) 2005 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (UK) LTD.
13-06-2005
Soul Culture: 01 Straight Ahead Definitive Funk Fusion
01
I'm Always Dancin' to the Music
Benny Golson
Soul Culture: 01 Straight Ahead Definitive Funk Fusion
06:15
Writer: B. Golson / Composers: B. Golson
02
Dazz (Dazz Disco Mix)
Brick
Soul Culture: 01 Straight Ahead Definitive Funk Fusion
05:37
Writer: Regi Hargis - Eddie Irons - Ray Ransom, Jr. / Composers: Regi Hargis - Eddie Irons - Ray Ransom, Jr.
03
We Gettin' Down
Weldon Irvine
Soul Culture: 01 Straight Ahead Definitive Funk Fusion
05:50
Writer: Weldon J. Irvine, Jr. / Composers: Weldon J. Irvine, Jr.
04
Turn Off the Lights
Larry Young
Soul Culture: 01 Straight Ahead Definitive Funk Fusion
06:56
Writer: Larry Young - Laura Logan - Fernando Saunders / Composers: Larry Young - Laura Logan - Fernando Saunders
05
Work It Out
Breakwater
Soul Culture: 01 Straight Ahead Definitive Funk Fusion
05:47
Writer: Kae Williams, Jr. / Composers: Kae Williams, Jr.
06
Cuz It's You, Girl
James Walsh Gypsy Band
Soul Culture: 01 Straight Ahead Definitive Funk Fusion
03:59
Writer: James Walsh / Composers: James Walsh
07
Second Chance
Martha Reeves
Soul Culture: 01 Straight Ahead Definitive Funk Fusion
03:33
Writer: Patrick Grant - Gwen Guthrie / Composers: Patrick Grant - Gwen Guthrie
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
Black Talk! (RVG Remaster)
â„— 2006 Concord Music Group, Inc.
01-01-1970
Black Talk! (RVG Remaster)
01
Black Talk (Rudy Van Gelder Remaster)
Charles Earland
Black Talk! (RVG Remaster)
07:54
Writer: Charles Earland / Composers: Charles Earland
02
The Mighty Burner (Rudy Van Gelder Remaster)
Charles Earland
Black Talk! (RVG Remaster)
03:08
Writer: Charles Earland / Composers: Charles Earland
03
Here Comes Charlie (Instrumental)
Charles Earland
Black Talk! (RVG Remaster)
08:21
Writer: Charles Earland / Composers: Charles Earland
04
Aquarius (Instrumental)
Charles Earland
Black Talk! (RVG Remaster)
08:05
Writer: James Rado - Gerome Ragni - Galt MacDermot / Composers: James Rado - Gerome Ragni - Galt MacDermot
05
More Today Than Yesterday (Instrumental)
Charles Earland
Black Talk! (RVG Remaster)
11:13
Writer: Patrick N. Upton / Composers: Patrick N. Upton