Richard “Groove” Holmes: Groove’s Groove

Culled from four LPs the Hammond B-3 master recorded for Muse from 1977 to 1980, this compilation definitely shows Holmes’ nickname was well earned. Holmes-who needs no bassist-and his cohorts, mostly tenorman Houston Person, drummer Idris Muhammad, and either Gerald Smith or Steve Giordano on guitar, take the uptempo route on all but “My One and Only Love.” Things get going from the get-go with a supercharged “Broadway.” An equally heated trio version of “Stella by Starlight” (on which they show no mercy) is followed by “Good Vibrations,” an 8:50 blues workout, not the Beach Boys hit, that ends with some fiery fours between Holmes and Person, who’s equally sensational throughout. Guitarist Smith comes into his own on Holmes’ “Plenty, Plenty Blues,” while Giordano gets his licks in on “Where or When.” Holmes was a phenomenal player and with Person alongside they created some very memorable music. Recommended!

Originally Published May 1, 1999