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The Lafayette Afro Rock Band was formed in Long Island, NY, as a response to the saturation of funk acts in America. In 1971, the group relocated to France, but 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, which was primarily inhabited by African immigrants. This environment influenced their music, leading to a blend of driving funk with African rhythms and textures. After 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 "Afro-Rock"), featuring the well-known track "Hihache." Their follow-up album included the song "Darkest Light," which has a saxophone intro that was later sampled by other artists, including Public Enemy for "Show 'Em Whatcha Got." In 1976, the group reverted to the Ice moniker and returned to America in 1978, where they disbanded shortly after. Despite being relatively unknown in their home country, the Lafayette Afro Rock Band was a prominent funk outfit of the 1970s and became a significant source of samples and breaks for various artists.

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