The group originally formed in Long Island, New York, under the name Bobby Boyd Congress. Feeling that the American funk scene was already crowded, the band relocated to France in 1971. When frontman Bobby Boyd returned to the United States, the remaining members continued under the new name Ice, becoming the house band at producer Pierre Jaubert’s Parisound studio. Performing frequently in Paris’ Barbès district — a neighborhood with a strong African immigrant community — Ice absorbed a growing number of African musical influences. After releasing their 1973 debut album Each Man Makes His Destiny, Jaubert renamed the group The Lafayette Afro Rock Band to reflect their evolving sound. Their second album, Soul Makossa (released in the U.S. as Voodounon) arrived in 1974, featuring the track “Hihache,” which later became one of the most sampled funk recordings of the era. The follow‑up album Malik included “Darkest Light,” whose haunting saxophone intro was famously sampled by Public Enemy for Show ’Em Whatcha Got. In 1976, the band briefly returned to the name Ice for the album Frisco Disco. They eventually moved back to the United States in 1978, disbanding shortly afterward.
See for more.
Voodounon
Scorpio Flower
Azeta
Malik
Racubah
Oglenon
Hihache
I Love Music
Darkest Light
Baby Hya
Soul Makossa