T. Grover

While it's true that Grover Washington, Jr.'s first album as a leader was the wonderful Inner City Blues album on Creed Taylor's Kudu label, the sessions included here predate it and feature Washington Jr. in the role of sideman to Charles Earland, Johnny "Hammond" Smith, Boogaloo Joe Jones, and Leon Spencer Jr.. The nine cuts included here were recorded between September 1970 and August 1971. Most of them are straight-ahead blowing B-3 dates where the emphasis on groove and grit is equal and pervasive. While there isn't a weak track here and Washington's playing is deeper in the register than in his later material, there is one irritating factor about the assemblage of the album.

The Great Performances/Great Songs series by Verve is a new attempt to get prospective buyers interested in its vast jazz catalog by introducing them to large-scale hits by artists who appeared either on its label proper, or on one of its licensees'. In the case of saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr., these are sides he cut for Creed Taylor's Kudu imprint - Motown’s jazz label at the time - between 1971 and 1978. The six selections are all covers of very popular soul or pop numbers, and come from recordings like Inner City Blues, All the King’s Horses, and Soul Box, Vol. 2, though the gorgeous reading of Billy Joel's “All the Things You Are” comes from 1978’s Reed Seed. Other tracks included here are stylish renditions of “Where Is the Love?,” “Georgia on My Mind,” Marvin Gaye's “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology Song),” a reggae version of Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me,” and Stevie Wonder’s "You are the Sunshine Of My Life”…

Released in 2018 by journalist David Nathan's Soul Music label, Don't Let It Go to Your Head is easily the most thoughtful and generous Jean Carn compilation. Most of the selections are drawn from Carn's time with Philadelphia International and its subsidiary TSOP, when she was in the top class of vocalists specializing in elegant soul that did not pander to the mainstream. Included are all the essentials off these four 1976-1981 albums – "Time Waits for No One," "Don't Let It Go to Your Head," the superior 12" inch version of "Was That All It Was," and "Bet Your Lucky Star" among them. A raft of duets and featured appearances on releases headlined by Norman Connors, Dexter Wansel, Al Johnson, Roy Ayers, and Grover Washington, Jr. – altogether a distillation of the Expansion label's Collaborations anthology – enhance the two-disc set. Listeners with more adventurous taste should also seek Carn's earlier work on progressive jazz sessions led by the likes of Connors, Doug Carn, Azar Lawrence, and Jamtume

Originally released as a two-record set in 1973, Soul Box has in the past been issued as two separate volumes, both on vinyl and compact discs, although the CD versions were available for only the shortest of time. To this date, this set has never been reissued in its entirety and in a fashion that recalls the original packaging and graphics. It’s a sad state of affairs for what is Washington’s finest moment in the spotlight. With arrangements by Bob James, the saxophonist covers a diverse set of numbers including standards, pop ditties, and original material. In typical Creed Taylor fashion, the supporting cast is nothing short of top shelf, with Richard Tee, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Eric Gale, Hubert Laws, and Airto being just a few of the names on the roster.

Originally released as a two-record set in 1973, Soul Box has in the past been issued as two separate volumes, both on vinyl and compact discs, although the CD versions were available for only the shortest of time. To this date, this set has never been reissued in its entirety and in a fashion that recalls the original packaging and graphics. It’s a sad state of affairs for what is Washington’s finest moment in the spotlight. With arrangements by Bob James, the saxophonist covers a diverse set of numbers including standards, pop ditties, and original material. In typical Creed Taylor fashion, the supporting cast is nothing short of top shelf, with Richard Tee, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Eric Gale, Hubert Laws, and Airto being just a few of the names on the roster.

The Jazz Club series is an attractive addition to the Verve catalogue. With its modern design and popular choice of repertoire, the Jazz Club is not only open for Jazz fans, but for everyone that loves good music.
One of the most popular saxophonists of all time, Grover Washington, Jr. was long the pacesetter in his field. His roots were in R&B and soul-jazz organ combos, but he also fared very well on the infrequent occasions when he played straight-ahead jazz. A highly influential player, Washington pushed himself with the spontaneity and risk-taking of a masterful jazz musician.