Houston Person - Person To Person! (1970) [re-rip]

A mix of Prestige funk and earlier soul jazz - and a record that features tenorist Houston Person blowing with a group that includes Prestige masters like Virgil Jones on trumpet, Grant Green on guitar, Sonny Phillips on keyboards, and Idris Muhammad on drums! Jimmy Lewis plays a Fender bass in the group - which gives the tracks a nice round sound, and pushes the funk component a bit more than usual - and the album includes some nice groovers, like "Son Of Man" and "Up At Joe's, Down At Joe's", plus some mellower, more soulful material. © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Prestige Records, PRST 10003, 1970

Recorded 12^th October, 1970 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Personnel:

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone

Virgil Jones - Trumpet

Sonny Phillips - Organ, Electric Piano (#A3,B3)

Grant Green - Guitar

Jimmy Lewis - Electric Bass [Fender]

Idris Muhammad - Drums

Buddy Caldwell - Congas

Tracks:

A1. Son Of Man {Harold Ousley} (8:29)

A2. Teardrops {Bunny Biggs} (4:38)

A3. Close To You {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (5:17)

B1. Drown In My Own Tears {Ray Charles, Henry Glover} (7:18)

B2. Up At Joe's, Down At Jim's {Houston Person} (8:48)

B3. Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday {Bryan Wells, Ronald Dean Miller} (4:33)

Credits:

Producer - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Design - Don Schlitten
Photo - Al Johnson
Liner Notes - Bill Johnson, WCHD-FM (Nov. 1970)

Charles Kynard - The Soul Brotherhood (1969) [re-rip]

Charles Kynard's name is an obscure one to those not interested or educated enough to be enamored with '60s and '70s organ-driven soul-jazz -- which at the dawn of the 21st century, was being played by generations whose parents were children at best when this music was in its heyday. But he was an essential player and the proof is in the caliber of players he could draw to play on any given session. One of those sessions a real bad-assed soul groove set was released as "The Soul Brotherhood" in 1969. The musicians joining Kynard on Soul Jazz LP were: the enigmatic jazz drummer Mickey Roker, guitarist Grant Green, tenor saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman, trumpeter Blue Mitchell, and electric bassist Jimmy Lewis. From the title track, Kynard has the proceedings firmly in hand; his sweeping right hand carries both the middle and the high registers of the instrument in a flighty idiomatic spiral of harmonic invention that never leaves its root in the blues. Lewis is merely a time keeper, but a funky one, and that's all Green needs when it's his turn to solo, with his arpeggios and stinging trills and 16th notes slipping all over Kynard's top-heavy surface. Green glides and slips and flies through the mix as Newman and Mitchell cover the fills with a harmonic front that swings in soft blue. The same goes for "Blue Farouq," which begins as a soul-blues strut by the horns; Green comps, laying back, and Kynard is down in the deep with his left hand seeking to fill the whole thing with enough water for the mosquito -- Mitchell -- to get steamed up and fly. And he does this with as inspired a solo as he ever played. He took the 12-bar blues and caught its tail moving just far enough behind the beat to stretch the whole thing out. Honking lines of feeling and slippery hooks smatter notes all over the palette before Newman straightens it all out with an in-the-pocket groove for three or four choruses. This is, of all the groove records of the late '60s, the one that pushes all the boundaries. ~ Extracts by Thom Jurek, AMG.

Prestige Records, PRST 7630, 1969

Recorded 10^th March, 1969 at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Charles Kynard - Organ

Blue Mitchell - Trumpet

David "Fathead" Newman - Tenor Saxophone

Grant Green - Guitar

Jimmy Lewis - Electric Bass

Mickey Roker - Drums

Tracks:

A1. The Soul Brotherhood {Charles Kynard} (6:06)

A2. Big City {Marvin Jenkins} (7:26)

A3. Jealjon {Charles Kynard} (7:46)

B1. Piece O' Pisces {David "Fathead" Newman} (10:07)

B2. Blue Farouq {Blue Mitchell} (9:04)

Credits:

Producer - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

BOOKER ERVIN - BACK FROM THE GIG (1976 COMPILATION) 24~48 VINYL

1976
Blue Note BN-LA488-H2
MY Vinyl Rip
Front, Back, & Inside Covers
DR Value 13
WAVE
994 MB

 AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

This two-LP set consists of a pair of classic Blue Note sets that were not originally released until 1976. The great tenor Booker Ervin (whose hard passionate sound was always immediately recognizable) is well-showcased with the Horace Parlan Sextet in 1963 (a group also featuring pianist Parlan, trumpeter Johnny Coles and guitarist Grant Green) and with his own all-star quintet from 1968 (which also stars trumpeter Woody Shaw and pianist Kenny Barron). The stimulating group originals and advanced solos (which fall somewhere between hard bop and the avant-garde) still sound fresh and frequently exciting.

The Tracks:

01 Home In Africa / 02 A Tune For Richard / 03 Back From The Gig / 04 Dexi / 05 Kucheza Blues / 

06 Happy Frame Of Mind / 07 Gichi / 08 Den Tex / 09 In A Capicornian Way / 10 Lynn's Tune / 11 204

Don Patterson with Sonny Stitt - Donny Brook (1969) [re-rip]

Organist Don Patterson and saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded together frequently between 1961 and 1969. On this LP from their last session, they are joined by guitarist Grant Green -- the only date Green ever recorded with them. Regular Patterson collaborator, drummer Billy James, completes the group. It's good organ jazz, although not the best performances in this style from the three lead players. Green's title track is the highlight. It's a two-chord vamp that sounds as if at any moment it's going to break into the melody from Classics IV's hit, "Spooky." What's impressive is how the players drive off from this very basic tune to produce sophisticated, imaginative solos. The group's readings of Tad Dameron's "Good Bait" and Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas" are not definitive, but they yield satisfying choruses from Stitt, Patterson, and Green. Patterson can usually be counted on for a stylish, soulful, slow blues. For this set, it's "Mud Turtle" -- close to ten minutes of steaming solo work all around. The Patterson ballad feature "Starry Night" starts off in roller-rink territory, but soon develops into a highly dramatic and progressive piece. ~ by Jim Todd, AMG.

Prestige Records, PR 7816, 1970

Recorded 15^th September, 1969 at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Don Patterson - Organ

Sonny Stitt - Tenor Saxophone [Varitone]

Grant Green - Guitar

Billy James - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. Donny Brook {Grant Green} (8:25)

A2. Mud Turtle {Don Patterson} (9:58)

B1. St. Thomas {Sonny Rollins} (5:32)

B2. Good Bait {Tadd Dameron, Count Basie} (8:32)

B3. Starry Night {John H. Densmore} (5:53)

Credits:

Producer - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Photo - Al Johnson
Design - Don Schlitten
Liner Notes - Nat White (September, 1970)

Extracts From Liner Notes:

A donnybrook is a fight. This donnybrook is a bit different, however, because the participants are merely supporting each other and results are much mellower than the knock-down drag-out one might expect. For many years, I have listened to and enjoyed the straight-ahead swing of Don Patterson-a gifted young man. Hearing Don is always a joy but hearing him in the company of burner extraordinaire Sonny Stitt is an added bonus. Don, Sonny, and Billy James worked up and down the country for several years and they know what to expect from each other. The addition of Grant Green can only add some spice to an already together congregation.

This album is an example of the affirmation of jazz in these times of social unrest-at home and abroad. Noting that indifference and conflict have invaded many of the arts, it is a pleasure to know that jazz, the only true American art form, has not fallen to the depths of mediocrity. It has broadened its horizons, expanded its viewpoint, and survived with its best feature intact. Men like Don Patterson will be in the vanguard of change for the music and it is a good thing because a man like Patterson has deep roots in modern jazz. Good hard-cooking music will not fade from the scene if he has anything to say about it. ~ by Nat White.

Don Patterson - Tune Up! (1964-1969) [vinyl>flac]

An enjoyable set of stretched organ/tenor grooves. This LP is made up of four different sessions from Patterson's Prestige days; including the title track, all given the strong early groove of organist Don at a time when some of his contemporaries were tightening things up on the B-3, going for shorter tunes aimed at the jukebox and radio crowd. Don Patterson was a great reminder that the organ was best used on lengthier jamming tracks, on tunes that stretched out nicely with a style that was heard best in the clubs, and where an organ player could really do his thing. The album kicks off  with "Just Friends'', Patterson uses a cut down trio format; Billy James on drums and tenorist Booker Ervin,  another player who always knows what to do with plenty of space! The other titles include versions of "Flyin' Home", "Tune Up" a Miles Davis tune featuring Sonny Stitt on Varitone and Grant Green, listed on the album cover as Blue Grant! The album finishes up with "Blues For Mom", Don's own composition, showcasing a dual tenor line-up of George Coleman & Houston Person plus Virgil Jones on trumpet. Overall this LP is quite a magnificent soul jazz package.

Prestige Records, PR 7852, 1971

Recorded 10^th July, 1964 (#A1); 25^th August, 1964 (#A2);
15^th September, 1969 (#B1) and 2^nd June, 1969 (#B2)
at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Don Patterson - Organ

Booker Ervin - Tenor Saxophone (#A1,A2)

Sonny Stitt - Tenor Saxophone (#A2,B1)

Grant Green - Guitar (#B1)

Virgil Jones - Trumpet (#B2)

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone (#B2)

George Coleman - Tenor Saxophone (#B2)

Billy James - Drums (#A1,A2,B1)

Frankie Jones - Drums (#B2)

Tracks:

A1. Just Friends {John Klenner, Sam M. Lewis} (5:56)

A2. Flyin' Home {Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman} (10:12)

B1. Tune Up {Miles Davis} (4:24)

B2. Blues For Mom {Don Patterson} (12:52)

Credits:

Producers - Ozzie Cadena (Side A), Bob Porter (Side B)

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Liner Notes - Joe Segal (January, 1971)

George Braith - Laughing Soul (24/48 vinyl rip)

The first of the two albums that Braith made for Prestige after his Blue Note contract was done. He has nearly the same band with him as his BN days though! The record wasn't in the best of shape, but all in all it sounds pretty good. 

Musically I think it actually surpasses the Blue Note albums and I think George compensated for the lack of practice time at Prestige by using musicians he was already well familiar with and they with him. Patton is especially tasty and he and Green were sonically in each others pockets at this time. A totally dynamite album!

John Patton - Along Came John (1963) [vinyl>flac]

Along Came John is the debut album by American organist John Patton, recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label. ~ Wiki.

An excellent John Patton album and one that's got a two-tenor lineup for an extra-heavy soul jazz sound! Fred Jackson and Harold Vick are on the dual reeds, and Grant Green brings up the rear on guitar. Over it all is John Patton's searing organ, and Ben Dixon grooves nicely on drums. Most of the tracks are by Patton and Dixon, and titles include "Gee Gee", "Pig Foots", "Spiffy Diffy", "Along Came John", and the classic modal groover "The Silver Meter". Great stuff and one of Patton's best albums! ~ Dusty Groove Inc.

These original compositions may not all be memorable, but the band's interaction, improvisation, and solos are. Tenor saxophonists Fred Jackson and Harold Vick provide good support, as well, but the show belongs to Patton, Green, and Dixon, who once again prove they are one of the finest soul-jazz combos of their era. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG.

Blue Note, BST 84130, 1963

Recorded 5^th April, 1963 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

John Patton - Organ

Harold Vick - Tenor Saxophone

Fred Jackson - Tenor Saxophone

Grant Green - Guitar

Ben Dixon - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. The Silver Meter {Ben Dixon} (5:40)

A2. I'll Never Be Free {Bennie Benjamin, George David Weiss} (5:02)

A3. Spiffy Diffy {Ben Dixon} (5:59)

B1. Along Came John {John Patton} (6:01)

B2. Gee Gee {John Patton} (6:01)

B3. Pig Foots {Ben Dixon} (5:42)

Credits:

Producer - Alfred Lion

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Artwork [Cover Design] - Reid Miles

Photography [Cover] - Francis Wolff

Liner Notes - Joe Goldberg

Don Wilkerson - Preach Brother!

With the release of The Complete Blue Note Sessions, Don Wilkerson seems to have finally received some long overdue recognition.  Firmly planted in the soul jazz style, he stands alongside greats like Fathead Newman, Stanley Turrentine and Hank Crawford.  It's still fascinating to me, that with the incredible popularity and exposure of Blue Note, Wilkerson can still remain a mystery to jazz fans.

You won't find any spiritual or higher powered jazz on Preach Brother!.  The order of the day is fun, upbeat jazz with a heavy leaning towards R&B.  Wilkerson is never at a loss for a funky, groovy chorus - and the band follows suit accordingly.

Obviously, most of you have this album one way or the other, as part of a collection or as a reissue.  I am offering my minty, reissued LP in hopes of capturing the few out there who need an introduction.  Ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC... enjoy!!!