Rusty Bryant - Night Train Now! (1969) [vinyl>flac]

One of the first few funky classics from tenorist Rusty Bryant – a record that showed a whole new side of his talents, thanks to the addition of a rock-solid rhythm section! As the title might imply, there's a bit of Rusty's old "Night Train" sound in spirit here – but the overall sound is much more modern, at least for the late 60s – thanks to the use of a varitone sax on the date, and a group that includes Ivan Boogaloo Joe Jones on guitar, Jimmy Carter (not the president) on Hammond, and Bernard Purdie on drums. Titles include a great funky version of "Night Train", plus some other originals like "Cootie Boogaloo", "Funky Mama", and "Funky Rabbits". © 1996-2013, Dusty Groove, Inc.

An effort very much consistent with producer Bob Porter's Prestige "house" soul-jazz sound, utilizing players who would contribute to many other similar efforts in the late '60s and early '70s, particularly guitarist Joe "Boogaloo" Jones and drummer Bernard Purdie. These beefy, straightforward grooves include a remake of Bryant's arrangement of "Night Train" (one of his most popular recordings in the version he cut for Dot). The writing credit for "Funky Rabbits" is given as "unknown," but it sure sounds a lot to these ears like a retitled version of Ray Charles' "Hallelujah, I Love Her So." ~ Richie Unterberger, AMG.

Prestige Records, PR 7735, 1969

Recorded 6th October, 1969 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Rusty Bryant - Alto Sax (#B2), Tenor Sax (Varitone)

Boogaloo Joe Jones - Guitar

Jimmy Carter - Organ

Eddie Mathias - Bass [Electric]

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. Cootie Boogaloo {Rusty Bryant, Jimmy Carter} (5:54)

A2. Funky Mama {John Patton} (5:53)

A3. Funky Rabbits {Unknown} (5:34)

B1. Night Train {Jimmy Forrest} (5:22)

B2. With These Hands {Abner Silver, Benny Davis} (4:24)

B3. Home Fries {Rusty Bryant, Jimmy Carter} (5:54)

Credits:

Supervisor - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Rudy Van Gelder

Liner Notes - Tom Curry (October, 1969)

Boogaloo Joe Jones - What It Is (1971) [vinyl>flac]

Using the same personnel as he did on his fifth Prestige album (1970s No Way!), Jones offers more good-natured funk-soul-jazz on this 1971 session. After getting a couple of contemporary pop covers (of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move") out of the way, it's mostly Jones originals. On his slower moments, as in "Fadin'" and Sonny Thompson's "Let Them Talk," he shows the influence of straight jazz players such as Wes Montgomery; "What It Is" and "Inside Job" are more cut-to-the-chase funk riffs. Jones has his cult following, but as soul-jazz goes, this is kind of run of the mill: good for background, but not captivating foreground listening. ~ by Richie Unterberger, AMG.

This LP is not as ordinary as suggested. There is some amazing playing on the part of “Boogaloo” and Grover Washington Jr. Jimmy Lewis’ bass gets things pulsating along with the organ of Butch Cornell; many a fine groove is whipped into shape. On “What It Is” he soars. Bernard Purdie on drums hammers away in the background and every once in awhile Buddy Caldwell does his conga thing. A great mix of jazz; funk, blues and pop tunes. Enjoy!

Prestige Records, PR 10035, 1971

Recorded 16^th August, 1971 at Van Gelder Studios, Englewoods Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Boogaloo Joe Jones - Guitar

Grover Washington Jr. - Tenor Saxophone

Butch Cornell - Organ

Jimmy Lewis - Electric Bass

Bernard Purdie - Drums

Buddy Caldwell - Congas, Bongos

Track Listing:

A1. Ain't No Sunshine {Bill Withers} (5:33)

A2. I Feel The Earth Move {Carole King} (6:10)

A3. Fadin' {Boogaloo Joe Jones} (7:01)

B1. What It Is {Boogaloo Joe Jones} (7:05)

B2. Let Them Talk {Sonny Thompson} (5:49)

B3. Inside Job {Boogaloo Joe Jones} (6:17)

Credits:

Producer - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Art Direction - Tony Lane

Photos - Burt Goldblatt