In an unusual setting for a groove/
soul jazz
setting, B3 organist extraordinaire big
John Patton
creates a band around himself that includes
Grant Green
, drummer
Otis Finch
, and vibraphonist
Bobby Hutcherson
. It's truly weird to think of vibes on a groove date, but the way
Patton
's understated playing works, and the way
Green
is literally all things to all players,
Hutcherson
's role is not only a clearly defined one, but adds immeasurably to both depth and texture on this date. What also makes this possible is the symbiotic relationship between
and
. There is a double groove conscious swing happening on every track here, from the bluesed-out slip and slide of the title track which opens the record to a killer version of
Hank Mobley
's
"The Turnaround,"
which expands the
blues
vibe into solid
soul
territory because of
's ability to play pianistically and slip into the
funk
groove whenever necessary.
's deadly in his solo on the track, shimmering arpeggios through
's big fat chords and chunky hammering runs. Also notable are
's own tunes, the most beautiful of which is
"Latona,"
a floating
Latin
number with a killer
salsa
rhythm in 6/8. As
vamps through the chorus,
slips in one of his gnarliest solos ever. It begins with a groove like run in the
hard bop
and then shoves itself into overdrive, capturing the cold sweat of a
Bola Sete
or
Wes Montgomery
in his groove years. But when
goes for the harmonic edges, all bets are off:
lays out, and he and
go running to the bridge and bring the melody back just in time to take it out. This is one of the least appreciated of
's records, and there's no reason for it; it is great. ~ Thom Jurek