Willis Jackson - Smoking With Willis (1965) [vinyl>alac]

A great album from Willis Jackson - a real sleeper, and with a very groovy feel! Willis smokes with an organ combo that has Butch Cornell at the keys, and which also features Vince Corrao on guitar and Franklyn Robinson on trumpet. The tracks are a mix of originals and Beatles covers (believe it or not!), and Willis is in that playful mid-60s mode, where he's working with so much profiency on the tenor that he can take some groovy chances on the solos. The rhythm's got a great Cadet soul jazz vibe to it - and the album fits nicely with some of Jack McDuff's work on the same label. Titles include "Yesterday", "Hard Day's Night", "Goose Pimples", and "Doin' The Mudcat". © Dusty Groove America, Inc.

Cadet Records, LPS-763, 1965

Recorded November, 1965 at A&R Recording Studios, New York City

Musicians:

Willis Jackson - Tenor Saxophone

Franklyn Robinson - Trumpet

Butch Cornell - Organ

Vincent Corrao - Guitar

Bob Bushnell - Bass

David Niskanan - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Doin' The Mudcat {David C. Randolph, Willis Jackson} (4:16)

A2. And I Love Her {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (5:34)

A3. Goose Pimples {David C. Randolph, Willis Jackson} (4:38)

A4. Yesterday {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (3:13)

B1. Broadway {Bill Bird, Henry Woode, Teddy McCrae} (6:51)

B2. Who Can I Turn To [When Nobody Needs Me] {Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse} (4:44)

B3. A Hard Day's Night {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (5:37)

Credits:

Producer, Supervisor, Design [Cover], Photography - Esmond Edwards

Ivan “Boogaloo Joe” Jones - Snake Rhythm Rock (1973) [vinyl>flac]

'Snake Rhythm Rock' is the seventh album by jazz-groove guitarist Ivan “Boogaloo Joe” Jones. It was recorded in 1972 and released in 1973 on the Prestige label; produced by Ozzie Cadena and engineered by the great Rudy van Gelder. “Boogaloo Joe” joins forces with Rusty Bryant on killer tenor and alto, Butch Cornell on pulsating organ, Jimmy Lewis on driving electric bass and Grady Tate banging away on drums. The album’s five funky jazz cuts are absolutely dominated by the tight guitar stylings of Jones, Cornell’s lively organ licks and Bryant’s gravelly voiced sax. Enjoy this short but wonderful LP.

Ivan Boogaloo Joe Jones recorded a number of sides for Prestige Records during the early 70s. This is another great Boogaloo Joe Jones album. A monster set of work by one of the funkiest guitar players. ~ by dj fanis

Prestige Records, PR 10056, 1973

Recorded 24th November, 1972 at Rudy van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Ivan “Boogaloo Joe” Jones - Guitar

Butch Cornell - Organ

Rusty Bryant - Alto & Tenor Saxophones

Jimmy Lewis - Electric Bass

Grady Tate - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. Hoochie Coo Chickie {Boogaloo Jones} (5:23)

A2. Snake Rhythm Rock {Boogaloo Jones} (5:27)

A3. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face {Ewan Maccoll} (5:46)

B1. He's So Fine {Ronald Mack} (6:28)

B2. Big Bad Midnight Roller {Boogaloo Jones} (9:49)

Credits:

Producer - Ozzie Cadena

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

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