Search - Mo Mod Jazz :: Mo' Mod Jazz

Yoo-hoo let's boogaloo

Andrew M. Schirmer | Seattle, WA USA | 08/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having bought this on the strength of one track ("Smokey Joe's La-La" -- featured on David Holmes' classic "Essential Mix") I was pleasantly surprised with the overall quality of this selection. It's what those recent Verve "hipster jazz" collections should be. A diverse compilation with tracks in blues, latin, lounge (Mark Murphy's "Señor Blues"), and big-band styles related only in their being eminently danceable. The familiar--B.B. King, Booker T, Mongo Santamaria--and the obscure--Freddie McCoy, Googie Rene Combo, and just about everybody else. Richard "Groove" Holmes puts in a appearance which simply adds to the mounting evidence that he was the funkiest organist ever. Considering the size--22 tracks in all--and diversity of this thing, purchasing should be a no-brainer. A worthy follow-up is Willie Bobo's "Spanish Grease.""