Palmetto

The Larry Goldings Trio - Moonbird (1999) {Palmetto Jazz PM2045}
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© 1999 Palmetto Jazz | PM 2045
Jazz / Post Bop / Soul Jazz / Jazz Funk / Hammond Organ / Guitar

Like Barbara Dennerlein, Larry Goldings was among the few organists who, in the 1980s and '90s, refused to stick to a grits-and-gravy approach to the instrument. This isn't to say that Goldings has escaped Jimmy Smith's influence altogether or that he lacks funk, blues, and soul-jazz credentials – one of his employers, after all, was Maceo Parker, who spent many years in James Brown's band. But Goldings hasn't ignored the post-bop challenges that Larry Young presented, and Young's influence can be felt on Moonbird.

Dr. Lonnie Smith - Rise Up! (2008) {Palmetto Records PM 2138}
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© 2008 Palmetto Records | PM 2138
Jazz / Hammond B-3 / Soul Jazz

Who says you have to slow down as you get older? The honorable B-3 master, Dr. Lonnie Smith, has been on a renaissance tear since the beginning of the 21st century. Rise Up! is the fifth new recording since 2000, and there have been a number of reissues of his older work to boot. Given that some artists issue a record a year, this may not seem like such a terrific feat – but appearances are deceiving. Smith recorded only 13 albums between 1966 and 1996, so five in nine years is actually prolific. It's not only the quantity, however, it's the consistency of the quality of the records Smith has been releasing that is outstanding, and Rise Up! is no exception.

Bobby Previte & Bump - Counterclockwise (2003) {Palmetto PM 2091}
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© 2003 Palmetto Records | PM 2091
Jazz / Modern Postbebop / Soul Jazz / Experimental / Modern Creative / Drums

Bobby Previte's Bump has the same instrumentation as the Jazz Crusaders (tenor saxophonist Marty Ehrlich, trombonist Curtis Fowlkes, keyboardist Wayne Horvitz, electric bassist Steve Swallow, and Previte on drums), but sounds nothing at all like that soul-jazz band. This set features five forward-thinking players whose solos and ensemble work are full of adventure, wit, and unpredictability. The nine uncredited originals, which are probably by Previte, are generally rhythmic and sometimes funky, with brief melodies and an emphasis on group playing.

Guitarist Pete McCann is sometimes compared to both John Scofield and Pat Metheny, and you'll hear more than a shade of the latter in his buttery tone and lush use of reverb on several of this album's tracks. But on McCann's sophomore effort there's also quite a bit of Bill Frisell in his approach to melody – listen to the slow-footed "Knew Blues" and the ringing open chords and skewed phrasing on "You Remind Me of Someone." On "Ornery," a brilliant tribute to free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman, McCann pays homage not just to Coleman's notorious disregard for the chord progression during solos, but also to the man's amazing ability to write delightful, sometimes downright hooky melodies. McCann also chooses his few covers well, delivering a thoughtful rendition of Cole Porter's "I Love You" and a slightly Latin-tinged interpretation of the Steve Swallow composition "Falling Grace."

Dr. Lonnie Smith - Too Damn Hot! (2004) {Palmetto Records PM 2105}
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© 2004 Palmetto Records | PM 2105
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Hard Bop / Organ

Hammond B-3 boss Dr. Lonnie Smith ends up on yet another new label with Too Damn Hot!, the follow-up to his thoroughly enjoyable – if curious – Boogaloo to Beck outing from 2003. This studio set places the organist in the company of two fine guitarists – Peter Bernstein (lead) and Rodney Jones (rhythm), and alternating drummers Greg Hutchinson and Fukushi Tainaka. The two-guitar format is lovely in that it presents a wide array of colors and harmonic textures to the proceedings.

Dr. Lonnie Smith - Jungle Soul (2006) {Palmetto PM2119}
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© 2006 Palmetto Records | PM 2119
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Hammond B-3

When Lonnie Smith cut Boogaloo to Beck in 2003 he made a comeback, though he was never gone in the first place. That record's deeply grooving, funky soul-jazz cut to the chase in a way many jazz organ records hadn't by taking the Blue Note aesthetic of turning the pop tunes of the day – even those as esoteric as Beck Hansen's – and turning them into vehicles for jazz improvisation. On Jungle Soul, the great organist and his quartet – Peter Bernstein on guitar, drummer and percussionist Allison Miller, and rhythm guitarist/producer Matt Balitsaris – tackle some jazz standards – "Bemsha Swing," "Willow Weep for Me," and Eddie Harris' bona fide soul-jazz classic "Freedom Jazz Dancer" – and place them against Marvin Gaye's "Trouble Man," and a handful of Smith originals and come up with a stunner.

Dr. Lonnie Smith - Spiral (2010) {Palmetto PM 2142}
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© 2010 Palmetto Records | PM 2142
Jazz / Hammond B-3 / Soul Jazz

Dr. Lonnie Smith shows no signs of slowing down. Spiral is is his fifth studio album since 2003, and his fourth for Palmetto. Produced by Matt Balitsaris, Smith's trio includes guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg and drummer Jamire Williams. The program is a solid set of jazz nuggets, an original, and a couple of ballad standards. Things lead off with Jimmy Smith's "Mellow Mood," which is relaxed but hardly what the title suggests. Smith is in prime soul-jazz mode here, paying tribute to his mentor by swinging hard on the melody.