Special EFX

What´s gotten into this group? With their recordings Catwalk, and Body Language, Special EFX demonstrates a more vibrant and exciting sound that they had never fully explored before. Before, we would only hear occasional, subtle bursts of energy,that are now more abundant than in their half-dozen previous releases. More horns and vocals (the vocals are mostly chants that carry you through a particular piece, but are welcomed) and a funkier, more melodic sound translate to a groove that ´ ll make you want to get up and dance. With songs like "Night Rhythm," "Seduction" and "Spy vs. Spy," Body Language from Special EFX may urge your body to speak a new language! With their album here to stay they set a new smoothjazz-highlight.
Followed by their masterpiece. George Jinda was striken with myoclonic disorder, a neurological disorder resulting in an almost total of his physical functions. Since then he has been in hospital where he requires constant care under the selfless supervison of his loving wife Nivea. Unable to perform as a musican, George has left Special EFX

in Chieli's capable hands until this time he can hopefully rejoin the group. All the best to Jinda, we are missing him very much in deep sorrow.

George needs your prayers and support. Please send donations to

George Jinda

c/o Shanachie Entertainment

13 Laight ST. 6th Floor

New York, New York 10013

Combining Latin and African rhythms with the light textures of MOR jazz, Special EFX emerged as one of the most prominent world fusion groups of their era. Formed in New York in 1982, Special EFX was essentially a duo comprised of guitarist Chieli Minucci and Hungarian-born drummer/percussionist George Jinda; debuting in 1985 with the album Modern Manners , they often recruited other musicians to help flesh out their state-of-the-art sound, among them Dave Grusin, Omar Hakim and McCoy Tyner. Long favoring an accessible and slick jazz-pop sound, the duo significantly altered their identity with 1990's Just Like Magic , adopting a more acoustic texture and exchanging Jinda's electronic percussion for what he dubbed "wooden world music." After 1995's Body Language , Minucci and Jinda split, with the latter continuing to work under the Special EFX name; in early 1997, however, tragedy struck when Jinda -- having recently completed the album Here to Stay -- suffered a massive stroke, subsequently lapsing into a coma. As of this writing, he remains unable to speak or walk.
© Jason Ankeny, All-Music Guide