Pianist Gene Harris again lays down soulful, bluesy, funky grooves on his 21st album for Concord. Recorded live at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle, the aggregation includes saxophonists Ernie Watts and Red Holloway, and organist Jack McDuff working new magic on familiar charts.
Standout tracks feature Harris’ dynamic gospel-funk form on “Put It Where You Want It,” Holloway and Watts in tenor tandem on Benny Golson’s “Blues Walk” and Brother Jack’s dazzling B-3 on Eddie Harris’ “Listen Here.” Other stellar moments: Watts’ searing alto on Nat Adderly’s “Jive Samba,” and the combination of Holloway’s tender tenor and audacious Niki Harris, the leader’s vocalist-daughter, on “Please Send Me Someone to Love.” The well-meshed rhythm section has Frank Potenza on guitar, Luther Hughes on bass and Paul Kreibich on drums. These cats have created a jazz-blues classic.
Gene Harris: Alley Cats
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