May 1999

Jimmy McGriff
Straight Up
Milestone

By Patricia Myers

This issue is a must for fans of both jazz organ and tenor sax since it unites Jimmy McGriff with both David "Fathead" Newman and Frank Wess, who double on flute. McGriff employs his Hammond X-B3 for a swinging encounter that includes sizzling versions of "It Had to Be You" and "Oleo," as well as two great blues shuffles, "Brother Griff" and "Blues for the Baby Grand." Dueling flutes spark the title track, and "It's Your Thing" is a pure funk-fest.

Rodney Jones and Wayne Boyd share guitar chores, with Bernard Purdie on drums.