Organics
May 2002 By Bill Milkowski
The Fantastic Jimmy Smith
Empire Music Group
In any discussion of the Hammond organ, all praises must be given to Jimmy Smith, the acknowledged Allah of the B-3. The native of Norristown, Pa., single-handedly revolutionized the concept of jazz on that hulking 400-pound instrument in the same way that...
May 2002 By Bill Milkowski
Singin' and Swingin'
Concord Records
Joey DeFrancesco is a direct descendant from the Jimmy Smith school of single-note burn. The 30-year-old has proven himself time and time again since going out on tour with Miles Davis in 1988 at the ripe old age of 17. His only shortcoming over the years...
May 2002 By Bill Milkowski
Organ Blues
Jazzateria
One of the bluesiest of the organ elders still active on the scene, Reuben Wilson lays out an earthy program of groovers on Organ Blues (Jazzateria 20309-2; 56:25). With Bernard Purdie providing the rock-steady backbeat, Grant Green Jr. echoing some of his...
May 2002 By Bill Milkowski
Keep That Groove Going
Milestone
The under-recognized B-3 veteran Gene Ludwig gets a fine showcase on Keep That Groove Going! (Milestone MCD-9319-2; 55:26). The headliners, however, are two blustery septuagenarian tenor saxophonists, Plas Johnson and Red Holloway, and this spirited session...
May 2002 By Bill Milkowski
Discovery: The First Recordings
Prestige
On the funky side of things is the Grover Washington Jr. compilation Discovery (Prestige PRCD-11020-2; 69:09). The late tenor-sax great originally recorded these tracks between 1970 and 1971 in his first commercial recording sessions as a sideman for producer...
May 2002 By Bill Milkowski
There Goes the Neighborhood
Premonition
San Diego native Robert Walter, a founding member of the Greyboy Allstars, is currently making inroads on the jamband scene with his own slamming, grooving brand of B-3. That danceable sound is best represented on There Goes the Neighborhood (Premonition...
May 2002 By Bill Milkowski
Next
Blue Note Records
On its sophomore outing, Next (Blue Note 7243 5 35869 2 8V; 68:42), groovemeisters Soulive dip into the hip-hop pool while still pledging allegiance to soul-jazz. Guitarist Eric Krasno has still got his Grant Green-Wes Montgomery mojo working. Organist Neal...
May 2002 By Bill Milkowski
Time Crunch
Magna Carta Records
Organist John Novello of the power trio Niacin takes a decidedly different approach to the Hammond B-3 on Time Crunch (Magna Carta MA-9059-2; 56:10). Joined by heavyweights like drummer Dennis Chambers and monster rock bassist Billy Sheehan (from David Lee...
