Charles Earland - Blowing The Blues Away (1997)

The title tune is by Horace Silver, as are “Strollin'” and “Quicksilver,” two other tunes on this album. Veteran organist Earland allows in the liner notes that Silver had a great influence on him; thus, this album has a funky feeling (an expectation of most organ dates, anyway) and a Silver-ish front line of trumpet (James Rotundi) and tenor saxophone (Eric Alexander). There’s a nice balance between the hard bop blowing of the hornmen (and guitarist Bob De Vos) and Earland’s more fundamental solo approach. The organist has an effective solo style consisting of swinging riff-like lines that build all the way. Besides the Silver tunes, we hear, among others, Herbie Hancock’s modal “Dolphin Dance,” the Isley Brothers’ “For the Love of You” and the hymn “This Is the Day (The Lord Has Made).” Greg Rockingham is the quintet’s drummer, a good one. ~ Owen Cordle, JazzTimes.

HighNote Records, HCD 7010, 1997

Recorded in 1997 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Charles Earland - Organ [Hammond B-3]

Jim Rotundi - Trumpet

Eric Alexander - Tenor Saxophone

Bob DeVos - Guitar

Greg Rockingham - Drums

Tracks:

1. Blowin' The Blues Away {Horace Silver} (4:59)

2. Sweet Love {Anita Baker, Gary Bias, Louis A. Johnson} (6:06)

3. For The Love Of You {Chris Jasper, The Isley Brothers} (6:13)

4. This Is The Day [The Lord Has Made] {Traditional, Arr. Charles Earland} (7:11)

5. Dolphin Dance {Herbie Hancock} (6:39)

6. Put It Where You Want It {Joe Sample} (7:40)

7. Strollin' {Horace Silver} (6:18)

8. Quicksilver {Horace Silver} (7:14)

Credits:

Producer, Arranger - Charles Earland

Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Art Direction, Design - Annalee Valencia-Bruch

Photography - Graham Haber

Liner Notes - Dave Helland

More Soulful Cookin' from The Mighty Burner

Another winner from Charles Earland. Earland's organ playing runs the gamut from simmering slow burns (Anita Baker's "Sweet Love" and Horace Silver's "Strollin'") to high heat (Silver's "Blowin' The Blues Away" and "Quicksilver"). From beginning to end a most satisfying addition to The Burner's catalog. ~ High Modes, Amazon.com.