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

Harold Ousley - Sweet Double Hipness (1980) [vinyl>flac]

Released in 1980, Sweet Double Hipness is a compilation of two of Ousley’s previous recordings from the early 1970s. The music is as good as the cover beginning with the bass get down on Uncle Funky. Come Get It, I Got It is just as funky with its drum heavy intro and organ playing. It’s a definite head nodder. Also, worth a listen is the title track with its female vocals singing the harmony to Ousley’s sax line mixed with some traditional Bop interludes, and some background percussion. Prodigal Son isn’t a bad Soul-Jazz piece either.”  ~ Soul Strut.

Muse Records, MR 5141, 1980

Recorded 28^th March, 1972 At Sound Ideas, New York City

Musicians:

Harold Ousley - Tenor Saxophone

Norman Simmons - Piano (#A1,B1,B3)

Neal Creque - Piano (#A2,A3,B2)

Bob Rose Guitar (#A2,A3,B2)

Victor Sproles - Bass (#A1,B1,B3)

Jay Leonhart - Bass (#A2,A3,B2)

Steve Butler - Drums (#A1,B1,B3)

Jim Young - Drums (#A2,A3,B2)

Ralph Dorsey - Congas (#A1,B1,B3)

Steve Kroon - Percussion (#A1,B1,B3)

Danny Barrajanos - Percussion (#A2,A3,B2)

Holly Hamilton, Edna Holt - Vocals (#A1,B1,B3)

Tracks:

A1. Uncle Funky {Harold Ousley} (7:08)

A2. The Prodical Son {Harold Ousley} (5:51)

A3. One For The Masses {Harold Ousley} (8:16)

B1. Sweet Double Hipness {Harold Ousley} (5:38)

B2. Come Get It, I Got It {Harold Ousley} (5:12)

B3. Feel Like Makin' Love {Gene McDaniels} (7:20)

Credits:

Producer - Harold Ousley, Frederick Seibert, Bob Rose

Engineer - George Klabin

Cover Photo - Hugh Bell

Cover Design - Ron Warwell

Liner Notes - Arnold Jay Smith

This is a compilation of his albums as a leader: bubbly, energetic and romantic, with a pleasant mixture of funk, soul, blues and bop.

Harold Ousley - The People's Groove (1977) [vinyl>flac]

Communication, a much-abused word in the world of music has special relevance in the case of saxophonist Harold Ousley. His basic goal is "to develop the ability to give people a complete musical experience that inspires, consoles and nourishes." In pursuit of that goal, Harold's activities have fanned out to include several separate yet interrelated directions. Harold's big vibrant sound and rhythmic finesse immediately evoke waves of tapping toes, popping fingers and undulating bodies. He makes everyone feel good. This album will help bring Harold Ousley's music to a wider audience. That is good because Ousley's musical humanism does indeed have the capacity to inspire console and heal. ~ Extract from Liner Notes by Chuck Berg (Downbeat).

Muse Records, MR 5107, 1977

Recorded Live and in Studio throughout 1972 approximate dates not listed.

Musicians:

Harold Ousley - Tenor Sax (#A1-B1,B3), Alto Sax (#B1,B2)

Gary Chandler - Trumpet (#A1)

Bobby Forrester - Organ (#A2,B2)

Neal Creque - Piano (#A3,B3)

Norman Simmons - Piano (#A4,B1)

Bob Rose - Guitar (#A3,B3)

Nate Stokes - Guitar (#A1-A2)

Ray McKinny - Bass (#A1)

Jay Leonhart - Bass (#A3,B3)

Victor Sproles - Bass (#A4,B1)

Al Dreares - Drums (#A1)

Steve Butler - Drums (#A2,A4,B1-B2)

Jim Young - Drums (#A3,B3)

Ralph Dorsey - Congas (#A2,A4,B1)

Danny Barrajanos - Percussion (#A3,B3)

Steve Kroon - Percussion (#A2,A4,B1)

Edna Holt - Vocals (#A2,A4,B1)

Holly Hamilton - Vocals (#A4,B1)

Tracks:

A1. The People's Groove {Harold Ousley} (3:19)

A2. Little Virgo {Harold Ousley} (6:40)

A3. Me & Bobby McGhee {Kris Kristofferson} (7:45)

A4. Positivity {Harold Ousley} (7:48)

B1. El Exi-Hente {Harold Ousley} (4:38)

B2. Why Did I Choose You? {Harold Ousley} (10:30)

B3. The Kid {Harold Ousley} (5:47)

Credits:

Producer - Fred Seibert, Harold Ousley

Photography [Cover], Album Design - Ron Warwell

Liner Notes - Chuck Berg (Downbeat)

In 1977, the Chicago-born saxophonist Harold Ousley put out the album "The People's Groove". In essence it is a Soul Jazz/Jazz Funk masterpiece. Some of tunes are taken from a live context and as a result are full of energy. With "Little Virgo" the listener is treated to a great piece of jazz funk. Another definite highlight is the Samba-Fused recording "El Exi-Hente" with its thrilling high-speed electric piano intertwined with nicely delivered scat vocals. The rest of the compositions are of equal merit, in fact there are no disappointments. Ousley as a producer has chosen some of the great jazz luminaries of the time together with an impressive rhythm section of players noted within the black music movement. Overall, the album is very entertaining whereby Ousley gets to showcase his skills on both tenor and alto.

Charles Earland - Pleasant Afternoon (1978) [re-rip]

With Houston Person on tenor sax, Bill Hardman on trumpet, and Melvin Sparks on guitar, not to overlook the master of the Hammond B3 himself, Charles Earland nothing can go wrong. All tunes, penned by Earland, are masterfully crafted into a wonderfully sonorous soul jazz excursion. Earland's Hammond licks add a dynamic unique to this genre, something that modern day players have not been able equal. The music is as vitalising as it was back in the late seventies.  Of course it goes without saying that all players set this album on fire.

Yes this is the one with the monster jazz dance banger "Murilley" on it-enough said!!! ~ Orgy In Rhythm

Thanks for another Mighty Burner album, his Muse sessions was a kind of "back to the roots" after all those Mercury disco/fusion oriented LPs. ~ Sergio

"Murilley" is great and fun, but I like the other tracks even more, especially "Organic Blues". The playing throughout this album is so raw and direct, not perfect, but soulful. ~ instagib

His sound & groove is so POWERFUL. ~ Pekis

Muse Records, MR 5201, 1981

Recorded 19th April, 1978 at Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Charles Earland - Organ [Hammond B3], Vocals (#A1)

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone

Bill Hardman - Trumpet

Melvin Sparks - Guitar

Grady Tate - Drums

Ralph Dorsey - Percussion, Conga

Tracks:

A1. Murilley {Charles Earland} (6:35)

A2. A Prayer {Charles Earland} (3:47)

A3. Organic Blues {Charles Earland} (7:25)

B1. Pleasant Afternoon {Charles Earland} (11:00)

B2. Three Blind Mice {Charles Earland} (6:16)

Credits:

Producer - Houston Person

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Liner Notes - Michael Rozek

Houston Person - Suspicions (1980) [re-rip]

Here we have another solid outing by Houston Person. He is joined with the mastery of some other fine musicians, including to name a few; Virgil Jones, Melvin Sparks, Horace Ott, Sonny Phillips and Idris Muhammad. The title tune “Suspicions” gets it all started with a funky soul jazz beat. On the rest of the album he turns his tenor to a challenging mixture of tunes from the popular “If” and the more intrinsic “Blue Monk” and a classic standard “This Bitter Earth”, not to mention a funky composition by Sonny Phillips “Me and Me Brudder”, but as always, his interpretation and musicianship excels across anything he producers. Another highlight is the two compositions on offer by Horace Ott; “Pieces” and “Let’s Love Again”. By and large the listener will find something that gets the Soul A-Movin’.

Muse Records, MR 5199, 1980
Recorded 24^th April, 1980 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone

Virgil Jones - Trumpet

Melvin Sparks - Guitar

Jack Cavari - Guitar

Sonny Phillips - Keyboards

Horace Ott - Keyboards

Ernie Hayes - Keyboards

"Bad" Wilbur Bascomb - Bass

Idris Muhammad - Drums

Ralph Dorsey - Percussion

Tracks:

A1. Suspicions {Eddie Rabbitt, Randy McCormick, David Malloye, Even Stevens} (5:22)

A2. If {David Gates} (3:56)

A3. Me & Me Brudder {Sonny Phillips} (3:25)

A4. Pieces {Horace Ott} (5:02)

B1. Blue Monk {Thelonious Monk} (8:43)

B2. This Bitter Earth {Clyde Otis} (4:44)

B3. Let's Love Again {Horace Ott} (4:58)

Credits:

Producer - Houston Person

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Arranger - Horace Ott (#A1,A4,B3)

Art Direction & Design - Mark Larson

Cover Photo - Charles Redly

Liner Notes - Maxine S. Harvard

Houston Person - Always On My Mind (1985) [vinyl>flac]

Tenorman, Houston Person has collected some recent and not so recent vocal hit records and made an incredibly beautiful instrumental album. What will always stay on our minds is the title song here "Always On My Mind." It's haunting and timeless theme will be with us long after Willie Nelson leaves the road. Houston Person is the interpreter. Here he plays the melody and what beautiful melodies...his music will stay "ALWAYS ON MY MIND." ~ Excerpts from Liner Notes

Muse Records, MR 5289, 1985

Recorded 3^rd September, 1985 At Sound Heights Studio, Brooklyn, New York

Musicians:

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone

David Brahim - Organ, Electric Piano

Ted Brancato - Acoustic Piano, Keyboards

Wilbur Bascomb - Bass

Bernard Purdy - Drums

Ralph Dorsey - Percussion

Tracks:

A1. I Can't Help Myself {Holland, Dozier, Holland} (4:28)

A2. Always On My Mind {Christopher, James, Carson} (5:30)

A3. Endlessly {Brook Benton} (7:04)

B1. How Do You Keep The Music Playing {Legrand, Bergman, Bergman} (6:10)

B2. Cutie Pie {Zapp, Roger} (5:30)

B3. It Might Be You [Theme From Tootsie] {David Grusin} (5:53)

Credits:

Producer - Houston Person

Arranger - Jimmy Roach

Engineer - Vince Traina

Mastering Engineer - Joe Brescio, The Cutting Room, NYC

Cover Photo - Hugh Bell

Art Direction - Dick Smith

Willis Jackson - Swivel Hips (1968) [vinyl]

Swivel Hips; Music to party by, exercise to or swing along with, low and inspirational sounds to help elevate your spirits and move your body. Sounds to be played over the vacuum cleaner as you clean up the pad the morning after the party; sounds to remind the head as it clears the pad that was a party in the first place. Swivel Hips is a party by itself. Extracts from Liner Notes by Linda Solomon (January 1969).

Great stuff! Like the rest of his late 60's Prestige recordings, this is a lively session with a good late 60's funky jazz sound that widen's Gator's range past the usual tenor/organ bag of his early 60's records. He plays tenor and his trademark Gator horn on this one, and he's backed by Jackie Ivory on organ and Bill Jennings on guitar. The tracks are long, with a stretched out groove, and include "Swivel Hips", "Y'Understand Me", and "Florence Of Arabia". Tough LP to find, too! © Dusty Groove America, Inc.

Prestige Records, PRST 7602, 1968

Recorded 9^th September, 1968 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Personnel:

Willis Jackson - Tenor Saxophone, Gator Horn (#B2)

Jackie Ivory - Organ

Bill Jennings - Guitar

Ben Tucker - Bass, Electric Bass

Jerry Potter - Drums

Ralph Dorsey - Conga

Track Listing:

A1. Swivel Hips {Willis Jackson} (6:55)

A2. In A Mellow Tone {Duke Ellington, Milt Gabler} (8:55)

A3. Win, Lose Or Draw {Willis Jackson} (3:56)

B1. Y’Understand Me {Willis Jackson} (9:04)

B2. By The Time I Get To Phoenix {Jimmy Webb, Burt Bacharach} (6:05)

B3. Florence Of Arabia {Howard Roberts} (7:07)

Credits:

Supervisor - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Liner Photo - Don Schlitten
Liner Notes - Linda Solomon (January 1969)

Houston Person - The Talk Of The Town (1987) [vinyl>flac]

This Muse recording differs from many of tenor saxophonist Houston Person's previous ones in that Person is backed by a piano rather than an organ; he sounds inspired by the "new" setting. Person heads a sextet also including trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater, pianist Stan Hope, bassist Buster Williams, drummer Grady Tate and percussionist Ralph Dorsey. They perform the tenor's "Just For You" and five standards, with the highlights including Benny Carter's "Only Trust Your Heart," "Almost Like Being in Love" and a blues-drenched version of "It's the Talk of the Town." A particularly strong effort by the very consistent tenor great. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.

Muse Records, MR 5331, 1987

Recorded 23rd January, 1987 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Track Listing:

A1. Only Trust Your Heart {Benny Carter, Sammy Cahn} (7:21)

A2. Everything Happens To Me {Tom Adair, Matt Dennis} (6:03)

A3. Almost Like Being In Love {Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner} (6:49)

B1. It's The Talk Of The Town {Jerry Livingston, Al J. Neiburg, Marty Syme} (7:22)

B2. Just For You {Harry Warren} (4:14)

B3. I'll Never Be Free {George David Weiss, Bennie Benjamin} (7:29)

Personnel:

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone

Cecil Bridgewater - Trumpet

Stan Hope - Piano

Buster Williams - Bass

Grady Tate - Drums

Ralph Dorsey - Percussion

Credits:

Recording Engineer - Rudy Van Gelder