Great 1976 JazzBoogie-Funk Oddity - - not necessarily for Dr
Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 05/14/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"First, this is a DR. Lonnie Smith album, not LONNIE LISTON SMITH... though it does sound a lot like a Liston Smith venture - - however, that's definitely the almighty TURBONATOR on the album cover...
Second, if you buy it purely as a Lonnie Smith fan, you will be disappointed... its not groovy soul Jazz, stretched out modern Jazz, or deep funk... and definitely not a Lou Donaldson or George Benson organ/Jazz venture (though oddly enough it was released between a bunch of Jimmy McGriff albums!).... its a... (long pause)
fusiony disco funk album, and half the time I'm not sure where Dr. Lonnie is on it... In fact, it seems almost as if it was recorded as a Grover Washington Jr. (not on the album) venture, but some how got released under Dr. Lonnie's name.... still, he sings a song... doodles on the Rhodes... no Hammond though. - - He's also a very good Rhodes player, but no George Duke or Les McCann... nevertheless, its a fun album... and dig this... Will Lee pops by for a tune... Al Rubin, Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano are also included and predictably, Sonny Lester is the producer (Groove Merchant...) - - The guitar work, credited to Jerry Friedman and Lance Quinn is also worth the listen...
Obscure, it made it to #40 on the Billboard Jazz charts and don't appear on many Dr. Lonnie discographies (though quite a few Lonnie Liston ones... jee gads !)
I'd give it ***1/2 stars actually, but I don't want to give the impression that its not worth having... it really is an entertaining oddity, and its always great to hear Dr. Lonnie's Stevie Wonder impression....
Overall, get it, but if you want to hear real Dr. Lonnie funk, stick with MOVE YOUR HAND or LIVE AT CLUB MOZAMBIQUE."
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1