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The Lafayette Afro-Rock Band was formed in Long Island, NY, but relocated to France in 1971, deciding that America was already overloaded with funk acts. After the frontman returned to the U.S., the remaining members renamed themselves and became the house session band at producer Jean-Pierre Jaubert's Parisound studio. They regularly performed live in Paris' Barbès district, an area primarily composed of African immigrants, and their driving funk began to incorporate African rhythms and textures. Following their 1973 debut LP, Jaubert changed the group's name to the Lafayette Afro Rock Band. In 1974, they released their second album, 'Soul Makossa' (issued in the U.S. as 'Disco Funk'), which featured the oft-covered and much-sampled track 'Hihache'. Their follow-up album included the song 'Darkest Light', which has a desolate saxophone intro later sampled by Public Enemy for the track 'Show 'Em Whatcha Got'. In 1976, the group reverted to the Ice moniker and returned to America in 1978, where they disbanded shortly thereafter. Although they were little known in their native U.S., the Lafayette Afro-Rock Band was one of the premier funk outfits of the 1970s and became a significant source of samples and breaks for various artists.

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