Richard "Groove" Holmes - Six Million Dollar Man (1975) [vinyl]

One of Groove Holmes' best albums of the 70s -- thanks to some electric blacksploitation arrangements from the great Oliver Nelson! The format's a bit tighter here than on some of Holmes' Groove Merchant albums from the earlier part of the decade -- an approach that's almost like soundtrack scoring at times, but which allows Groove to stretch out a bit more on the solos, and take things way past the already-funky head arrangements penned by Nelson. Mike Wofford's also on the record, throwing in some great electric piano and Arp in underneath Holmes' own funky Hammond -- and other players include Tom Scott, David T Walker, and Oscar Brashear -- who all contribute nicely to the record. Titles include "Disc-o-Mite", "Salsa de Alma", "Dumpy Mama", "Mama's Groove", "125th & 7th Ave", and "Six Million Dollar Man", the theme from the TV show!  © Dusty Groove, Inc. 

Flying Dutchman, BDL1-1146, 1975
Recorded in 1975 

Musicians:
Richard "Groove" Holmes - Organ
Oscar Brashear, Charles Findley, Bobby Bryant - Trumpet (#A2,B1)
Garnett Brown, Maurice Spears, Lloyd Ulyate - Trombone (#A2,B1)
Tom Scott - Tenor Saxophone, Flute (#A2), Arranger, Conductor (#B2)
Bud Shank, Jerome Richardson, Jack Nimitz, Gene Cipriano - Woodwinds (#A2,B1)
Mike Wofford - Piano, Electric Piano, ARP Synthesizer
David T. Walker - Electric Guitar
Chuck Rainey - Electric Bass (#A1,A2,A4,B2-B4)
Chuck Domanico - Electric Bass (#A3,B1)
Jimmy Gordon - Drums (#1,A2,A4,B2-B4)
Shelly Manne - Drums (#B1)
Mailto Correa - Percussion
Larry Bunker - Percussion (A3,B1)
Oliver Nelson - Arranger, Conductor (#A1-B1,B3,B4)

Tracks:
A1. Disc-O-Mite {Oliver Nelson, Richard "Groove" Holmes} (5:21)
A2. Salsa De Alma {Richard "Groove" Holmes} (5:19)
A3. Once Is Not Enough {Henry Mancini, Larry Kusik} (3:26)
A4. Dumpy Mama {Oliver Nelson} (4:46)
B1. "Six Million Dollar Man" Theme {Oliver Nelson} (4:55)
B2. Double Scale {Tom Scott} (4:12)
B3. 125th St. and 7th Ave. {Oliver Nelson} (3:40)
B4. Mama's Groove {Richard "Groove" Holmes} (7:06) 

Total Time: 39:45 

Credits:
Producer - Bob Thiele
Engineer - Eddie Brackett
Remix Engineer - Bob Simpson
Art Direction – Acy Lehman, Dick Smith
Photography - David B. Hecht
Liner Notes - Nat Hentoff

Link

Double Scale

Richard "Groove" Holmes - Good Vibrations (1977) [re-rip]

When you consider it, all jazz is created by good vibrations; bristled reeds, plucked strings, the ringing force of air trapped in brass. But if jazz organ players don't create good vibrations...well, they're just not jazz organ players. Because perhaps more than any other jazz hallmark, the organ sound must virtually rattle your teeth to get over: dig you into its moving bass line, assault you with its droning, gritty top, and set you nodding, popping, even...vibrating. 

Which is exactly where this new offering from one of organ's greats, Richard "Groove" Holmes, comes in. It's classic jazz brew, with all the right ingredients: the soulful tenor of Houston Person, one of organ's biggest champions (he features the B-3 in his own working group); the classic blues-funk guitar of Philly-based newcomer Bob DeVos; the crack rhythm team of Idris Muhammad and Buddy Caldwell, who probably hold the world's record for the most appearances on organ LPs; the sensitive production of Bob Porter, who may hold a similar mark (in a tie with Ozzie Cadena) for the most organ albums overseen; and the eternally invigorating presence of Rudy van Gelder, who's engineered every good organ record ever made. 

"It was a typical Groove Holmes date," sums up Bob Porter. "We did it in an afternoon, and Groove even brought along a good new guitarist player." and, we should add, GOOD VIBRATIONS aplenty. ~ Excerpts taken from Liner Notes by Michael Rozek. 

Muse Records, MR 5167, 1980
Recorded 19th December, 1977 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Richard "Groove" Holmes - Organ [Hammond B-3]
Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone (#A1-B1,B3)
Bob DeVos - Guitar
Idris Muhammad - Drums
Buddy Caldwell - Congas 

Tracks:
A1. Good Vibrations {Richard "Groove" Holmes} (8:47)
A2. Do It To It {Rogers Grant} (10:35)
B1. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me {Duke Ellington, Bob Russell} (8:51)
B2. My One And Only Love {Robert Mellin, Guy Wood} (4:51)
B3. Hackensack {Thelonious Monk} (5:47) 

Total Time: 38:51 

Credits:
Producer - Bob Porter
Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Cover Design - Ron Warwell/NJE
Liner Notes - Michael Rozek 

Hackensack

Richard "Groove" Holmes - Living Soul (1966)

Tight trio material from the legendary Richard Groove Holmes - caught live at Count Basie's Nightclub in Harlem, working hard and heavy with a trio that features Gene Edwards on guitar and George Randall on drums! This live set is the kind of record that beautifully shows why Groove was so popular with live audiences in the 60s - because he can burn all night long, with no tricks, no gimmicks, just a straight-on soul jazz groove and some amazing work on the Hammond! Most cuts are pretty long - and there's some great groovers on here like Gerald Wilson's "Blues For Yna Yna", a cover of "Girl From Ipanema", Jimmy Heath's "Gemini", and Groove's own "Living Soul". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Prestige Records, PRST 7468, 1966

Recorded 22^nd April, 1965 Live! At Count Basie's, New York

Musicians:

Richard "Groove" Holmes - Organ

Gene Edwards - Guitar

George Randall - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Living Soul {Richard "Groove" Holmes} (8:41)

A2. Blue For Yna Yna {Gerald Wilson} (5:17)

A3. The Girl From Ipanema {Gimbel, Jobim, Moraes} (5:03)

B1. Gemini {Jimmy Heath} (9:19)

B2. Over The Rainbow {Harold Arlen, E.Y. "Yip" Harburg} (7:03)

Total Time: 35:23

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording & Mastering - Rudy van Gelder

Design, Photography - Don Schlitten

Liner Notes - Ahmad Basheer

Note:

Photo taken at the Front Room Newark, New Jersey

Richard "Groove" Holmes - The Groover! (1968) [re-rip]

Holmes acquits himself well, if with few surprises, on this trio session with Billy Jackson on drums and either George Freeman or Earl Maddox on guitar. The organist shows his hundred-miles-per-hour capabilities on the frantic opener "Speak Low," but hits a more sensitive groove for "Blue Moon," and gets close to an R&B mood on the longest cut, the eight-minute "The Walrus." ~ by Richie Unterberger, AMG.

A nice one from the days when Groove was playing with guitarist George Freeman! The core of the tracks on here feature a trio of Holmes, Freeman, and drummer Billy Jackson – and the trio knows how to cook nice and nicely, especially on the original cut "The Walrus", a groovy number written by Freeman, with his usual off-kilter approach. Other cuts include "My Scenery", "Blue Moon", and "I'll Remember April". Nice cover, too – with Freeman looking really spaced out! © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Prestige Records, PRST 7570, 1968

Recorded 14^th February, 1968 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Personnel:

Richard "Groove" Holmes - Organ

George Freeman - Guitar (#A1-B1)

Earl Maddox - Guitar (#B2-B3)

Billy Jackson - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Speak Low {Ogden Nash, Kurt Weill} (7:03)

A2. My Scenery {George Freeman} (4:09)

A3. Walrus {George Freeman} (8:25)

B1. Blue Moon {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (5:04)

B2. I'll Remember April {Gene DePaul, Patricia Johnston, Don Raye} (6:20)

B3. Just Friends {John Klenner, Sam M. Lewis} (5:37)

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Design - Don Schlitten
Art - Irving Riggs
Photo - Jerry Field
Notes - Ralph Berton (April 1968)

Richard "Groove" Holmes - Get Up & Get It! (1967) [re-rip]

The organ trio format is so ensconced in the minds of soul-jazz fans that hearing this album, which puts Richard "Groove" Holmes' funky Hammond B3 in the context of a larger group, sounds odd and over-produced at first. Putting Holmes' bottom-heavy instrument against a guitar-bass-drums trio and then adding Teddy Edwards' tenor saxophone on top to take most of the melody lines sounds on paper like it should be a thick, muddy mess, but thankfully, Holmes' sidemen are up to the task at hand and steer clear of over-playing. The great Paul Chambers, one of the best bassists of the post-bop generation, mostly leaves the bottom to Holmes' left hand, leaving himself free to add intriguing little accents and filigrees to the rhythm, and guitarist Pat Martino wisely avoids the temptation to do much more than comp unobtrusively and take the occasional brief solo. Billy Higgins, of course, is one of the great drummers of his time and plays solidly throughout. The original "Groove's Blue Groove" is a particular highlight, but the entire album is worthy. ~ by Stewart Mason, AMG.

Prestige Records, PRST 7514, 1967

Recorded 29^th May, 1967 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Musicians:

Richard "Groove" Holmes - Organ [Hammond B3]

Teddy Edwards - Tenor Saxophone

Pat Martino - Guitar

Paul Chambers - Bass

Billy Higgins - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Get Up And Get It {Teddy Edwards} (5:41)

A2. Lee-Ann {Teddy Edwards} (5:08)

A3. Body And Soul {Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour} (9:20)

B1. Broadway {Billy Bird, Teddy McRae, Sir Henry Joseph Wood} (5:24)

B2. Groove's Blues Groove {Richard "Groove" Holmes} (8:02)

B3. Pennies From Heaven {Johnny Burke, Arthur Johnston} (6:26)

Credits:

Producer, Design, Photo - Don Schlitten

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Liner Notes - Bob Porter (July 1967)

Richard "Groove" Holmes - Misty (1965,66)

In the mid-'60s, organist Richard "Groove" Holmes had a hit with his medium-tempo rendition of "Misty." This CD reissue has the original short version (which was cut as a 45) plus other medium-tempo ballads performed in similar fashion. Holmes and his trio (featuring guitarist Gene Edwards and drummer George Randall) play enjoyable if not overly substantial versions of such songs as "The More I See You," "The Shadow of Your Smile," "What Now My Love" and "Strangers in the Night," trying unsuccessfully for another pop hit; the organist's sound is more appealing than some of the tunes. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Not the most inspiring review, don’t let that put you off, the music speaks for itself!

Prestige Records, PR 7485, 1966

OJC Records, OJCCD-724-2, 1992

Recorded 7^th July, 1966 (#1-3); 3^rd August, 1965 (#5)

& 12^th August, 1966 (#4,6-8) At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Musicians:

Richard "Groove" Holmes - Organ

Gene Edwards - Guitar (Except #A5)

George Randall - Bass

Jimmie Smith - Drums (#A5)

Tracks:

A1. The More I See You {Harry Warren, Mack Gordon} (2:25)

A2. The Shadow Of Your Smile {Johnny Mandel, Paul Francis Webster} (4:55)

A3. What Now My Love {Gilbert Bécaud} (5:30)

A4. Summertime {George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin} (4:58)

A5. Misty {Erroll Garner, Johnny Burke} (1:58)

B1. On The Street Where You Live {Al Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe} (8:02)

B2. Strangers In The Night {Bert Kaempfert, Charles Singleton, Eddie Snyder} (2:22)

B3. There Will Never Be Another You {Harry Warren, Mack Gordon} (7:43)

Total Time: 37:53

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Digital Remastering - Phil De Lancie, 1992

Design, Photography - Don Schlitten

Liner Notes - Del Shields

Willis Jackson - Ya Understand Me? (1980) [vinyl]

Willis plays in a well-balanced, full, warm, almost fleshy tone. He chooses three blues and two ballads and the records owes its success to the inclusion of Richard "Groove" Holmes an accomplished organ player and a perfect soloist and sideman. The two other younger musicians Steve Giordano and Roger Lee Humphrey supply a varied and swinging backing. Overall the album is landmark, even in the career of so prolific a musician as Willis Jackson. ~ Extract from Liner Notes by Bernard Niquet.

With "Groove" Holmes on organ duties, and some tart tenor from Jackson. ~ by Ron Wynn, AMG.

This album should get far more attention than the one-liner review above. The music is taken from a live date, later in Willis' career, but there seems no stopping to the power of his big tenor sound. Equally Richard "Groove" Holmes is right at home alongside the "Gator". Enjoy!

Muse Records, MR 5316, 1980

Digitally Recorded 26^th January, 1980, Live At Chateauneuf du Pape, France

Musicians:

Willis "Gator" Jackson - Tenor Saxophone

Richard "Groove" Holmes - Hammond Organ

Steve Giordano - Guitar

Roger Lee Humphrey - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Ya Understand Me? {Herb Abramson, Ahmet Ertegun, Jesse Stone} (7:34)

A2. Body And Soul {Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour} (6:34)

A3. My One And Only Love {Robert Mellin, Guy Wood} (6:26)

B1. The Head Tune {Willis Jackson} (8:59)

B2. More {Keith Newell, Nino Oliviero, Riz Ortolani} (9:11)

Credits:

Recording Engineer - Gerhard Lehner

Cover Photo - Clarence Eastmond

Cover Design - Lisa Emmons

Art Direction - Ron Warwell

Liner Notes - Todd Barkan

Alternate Release: Black and Blue [33.810 WE 312] France

Richard "Groove" Holmes - Shippin' Out

Richard 'Groove' Holmes - Shippin' Out
Muse 5134, 1978
 recorded 1977

1) Feelings
2) Windows
3) Stella By Starlight
4) Where or When
5) Shippin' Out

Groove Holmes organ, David Schnitter tenor sax, Steve Giordano guitar, Idris Muhammed drums, Bobby Caldwell conga

Aren't those the twin towers of the World Trade Center I see off in the distance on this cover shot?

I guess this one is pretty rare since I can't even find mention of it on google. I found my copy at a discogs vendor who specializes in punk rock and when I received it the vinyl looked like some punk rockers had played frisbee with it. Amazingly enough it played thru after cleaning without a skip. It was noisy to be sure but I have calmed that down with Isotope RX.

This is a fine record, Groove is well, Groove and Schnitter and Giordano give fine performances on tenor and guitar in support. as it says in the liner notes: "The players are fine. The music is fine. The recording is excellent. These are the facts."

Eric Kloss - Love And All That Jazz (1966) [vinyl>flac]

Here’s Eric’s 2^nd LP I had tucked away, just as groundbreaking as the 1^st. The session on the 14^th with the “Groove” adds further scope to showcase Eric’s wonderful young talent.

------------------------------------

Great early Eric Kloss record, with a tight organ jazz feel, courtesy of Groove Holmes and Don Patterson. Kloss was totally tight at this point, and less given to the sort of sloppy experimentation that weakened him later. He's backed by two great tight organ jazz groups, and the feel is nice and loungey, but with a good modern edge. Tracks include "Gemini", "Just for Fun-k", and a great version of "Love for Sale". Nice cover too. © 1996-2011, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

This was Eric's second album so we are still talking about a 16 year old, just turning 17 by the second part (Don Patterson) of the sessions. Kloss plays with two different organ trios; on 'The Shadow of Your Smile' and Gemini he is with Richard 'Groove' Holmes, Gene Edwards on guitar and Grady Tate on drums, on the rest of the album the band is Don Patterson, Billy James and Vinny Corrao on guitar. Kloss is impressive on both alto and tenor saxes. Pretty classy soul jazz from a kid!

Prestige Records, PR 7469, 1966

Recorded 14th March (#A3,B3) &  11th April (#A1,A2,A4,B1,B2), 1966
at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Eric Kloss - Alto & Tenor Saxophones

Richard "Groove" Holmes - Organ (#A3,B3)

Gene Edwards - Guitar (#A3,B3)

Grady Tate - Drums (#A3,B3)

Don Patterson - Organ (#A1,A2,A4,B1,B2)

Vinny Corrao - Guitar (#A1,A2,A4,B1,B2)

Billy James - Drums (#A1,A2,A4,B1,B2)

Track Listing:

A1. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To {Cole Porter} (4:56)

A2. Just For Fun-k {Eric Kloss} (5:53)

A3. The Shadow Of Your Smile {Johnny Mandel, Paul Francis Webster} (3:04)

A4. No Blues {Miles Davis} (5:18)

B1. Love For Sale {Cole Porter} (7:38)

B2. I'm Glad There Is You {Jimmy Dorsey, Paul Mertz} (5:06)

B3. Gemini {Jimmy Heath} (6:07)

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording Engineer - Rudy Van Gelder