Groove cooks !
Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 07/20/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"No one could cook and funk it out on a Hammond Organ (X-77 in this case?) like Groove Holmes... that was for sure...
On this album we have some funked up and cooked up versions of blues standards with Groove's unique
old school organ meets "contemporary Jazz" (of the era) twist.
As for the setting:
It is after the bluesy soul Jazz era... though by no means a "fusion" album... it kinda leans
towards a funky grooved up disco sound, yet stays true to the Jazz organ genre... (The year of release is actually 1980, the label MUSE, but to me it sounds more like it was done in '77...)
Aside from the funked up standards, Groove also cooks out trademark style on a Blues and cooks pretty mean on an uptempo version of Broadway... the only thing about the album is its bright sound (something Groove tended to do, in an effort to sound contemporary.) - - If you're used to the darker early/mid-60's Blue Note sound, it can be briefly distracting, but once you lock in with that mean bass line and Bobby Ward's wickedly swinging drum work... heck, its all good. - - Also, check out guitarist Gerald Smith's intense "right up on it" guitar work and heavily cookin' solos.
Although Groove's solos are... well groovy (and shows off his oft stunning chops), he actually lays back a bit, but where he holds back "up top" he let's loose down under with some really really really happening bass work... Even if you've been listening to Jazz organ stuff (including Groove) for years and years, its hard at times not to have to listen really closely and ask the question that you (an organist who definitely knows the real thing) can't believe yourself asking: Is he really doing all that bass playing? (Of course... that's what Groove was famous for !)
All in all, this is a fun and enjoyable album... maybe not an all time classic, but its great, and definitely belong's in any Jazz organ nut enthusiast's collection!"
Groove & his Huckleberry friends
DJ Rix | NJ USA | 05/11/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Solid effort from the Grooveman with punchy basswork & fine r&b-ish horn from Houston. Broadway has the only funkified version of Moon River I've ever heard (Jerry Butler took it straight), a lovable take that I hope Mancini heard. Ode to Larry Young isn't in the later style of that amazing organist, but does demonstrate the affection Groove had for him. The fraternity of B3 players is a big-hearted one. Katherine is a thick love song that goes nowhere slowly. Aside from that, a good recording.
Check out "Screamin'" by Brother Jack McDuff.
Bob Rixon, WFMU"
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1