Sonny Phillips - Black On Black (1970) [re-rip]

Sonny Phillips' third and final album for Prestige, coming just over a year after his first, shows the soul-jazz organist moving in a somewhat funkier direction than his first two efforts. The roiling title track actually has an edge of menace to it, an idea his other albums never even entertained. Of the five tracks, the most surprisingly effective is the nine-minute take on Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Proud Mary"; even more so than Ike and Tina Turner, Phillips and band completely reshape the song, taking off the edge of distance from Creedence Clearwater Revival's original and the campy showbiz of the better-known cover in favor of a pure soul-jazz workout that's among the finest things Phillips ever did in his short recording career. The other highlight is "The Doll House," a showcase for Rusty Bryant's tenor sax with the album's most satisfying soloing. Sonny Phillips isn't highly rated by some soul-jazz historians, but his unique and characteristic light tone -- heavily influenced by his early teachers, Jodie Christian and Ahmad Jamal -- makes his albums far more interesting to listen to than the usual barrage of Jimmy McGriff lifts. ~ by Stewart Mason, AMG.

This 1970 album "Black On Black" is another fine soul-jazz recording. It features Phillips with tenor saxophonist Rusty Bryant, guitarist Melvin Sparks, electric bassist Jimmy Lewis and drummer Bernard Purdie. The music is blues-and groove-oriented. Bryant in particular showcases some fine solos, while Phillips' chugging organ is always appealing.

Prestige Records, PR 10007, 1970

Recorded 27^th July, 1970 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Tracks:

A1. Black On Black {Phillips, Bryant, Sparks, Lewis, Purdie} (5:34)

A2. Check It Out {Sonny Phillips} (6:20)

A3. Blues In Maude's Flat {Grant Green} (6:30)

B1. Proud Mary {John Fogerty} (8:01)

B2. The Doll House {Jimmy Lewis} (7:40)

Personnel:

Sonny Phillips - Organ

Rusty Bryant - Tenor Saxophone

Melvin Sparks - Guitar

Jimmy Lewis - Bass [Fender]

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Drums

Credits:

Producer [Supervision] - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Design, Photo - Don Schlitten
Liner Notes - Tom Curry (December 1970)