Richard “Groove” Holmes - Hot Tat (1989)

One of the last albums that Richard Groove Holmes ever recorded -- but a surprisingly strong little set, and one that shows that he never stopped hitting the Hammond hard, even in the later years of his life! The record's got a depth of feeling that goes way beyond the dated, cheesy album on the cover -- almost a classic organ groove, produced by Houston Person for the session -- who's also prominently featured on tenor for the date. Other players include Cecil Bridgewater on trumpet, Jimmy Ponder on guitar, Bad Bascomb on bass, and Greg Bandy on drums -- plus Ralph Dorsey on congas and a bit of added percussion. The largeish group still manages to sound nice and lean -- and although there's a few bassline moments that belie the date of the record, most of the material has a very classic soul jazz sound. Titles include "Renee", "Love Letters", "I Love Your Smile", "Hot Tat", "I Gotta Go", and "Second Time Around".  © Dusty Groove, Inc. 

Muse Records, MCD-5395, 1991
Recorded 5th September, 1989 at Fox Recording Studios, Rutherford, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Richard "Groove" Holmes - Organ [Hammond B-3]
Cecil Bridgewater - Trumpet

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone
Jimmy Ponder - Guitar
Wilbur Bascomb, Jr. - Bass
Greg Bandy - Drums
Ralph Dorsey - Congas, Percussion

Tracks:
1. Renee {Richard "Groove" Holmes} (6:03)
2. Love Letters {Edward Heyman, Victor Young} (4:18)
3. I Love Your Smile {Cecil Bridgewater} (9:55)
4. Hot Tat {Richard "Groove" Holmes} (7:37)
5. Polka Dots And Moonbeams {Burke, Van Heusen} (6:04)
6. I Gotta Go {Cecil Bridgewater} (6:10)
7. Second Time Around {Cahn, Van Heusen} (6:51) 

Total Time: 46:58 

Credits:
Producer - Houston Person
Recording Engineer - David Blake
Mastering Engineer - Joe Brescio, The Cutting Room, NYC
Graphic Design - Ron Warwell/NJE
Cover Photo [Alicia Lashley] - Fred Salaff
Back Photo - J. Flint
Liner Notes - Larry Birnbaum 

Love Letters