Richie Hart: Greasy Street

From the title track alone, it’s clear that Hart is comfortable in a soul-jazz bag. But that doesn’t prevent him from investigating other avenues, like the 6/8 Larry Young vehicle “Tryrone,” fueled by Dr. Lonnie Smith’s surging B-3 work, or John Coltrane’s poignant “Naima,” which Hart underscores with gentle strains of acoustic guitar. Elsewhere, Hart and his longstanding trio of drummer Joe Corsello and bassist Rick Petrone (accompanied by either Smith or Pete Levin on keyboards) turn in fine versions of Ron Carter’s jaunty “Third Plane,” Joe Henderson’s bossa nova “Recorda Me,” Lalo Schifrin’s “Down Here on the Ground” and Jimmy Smith’s uncharacteristically subdued “Mellow Mood.” Hart further asserts his soul-jazz credentials on his own swinger “East Coast Blues,” which also showcases the Turbanator and the exuberant tenor saxophonist Jerry Weldon. And they close on a sublime note with a relaxed version of “I’ll See You in My Dreams” with Hart supplying rich Wes Montgomery-like octaves and accompanying himself on overdubbed acoustic guitar.

Originally Published January 1, 2006