Big John Patton

This album is INCREDIBLE. The way Bobby Hutcherson, Grant Green and John Patton lock in on their lines is almost surreal. The selections groove, but they're also deep, and the the musicians seem to connect on a deeply spiritual level. - - This is NOT just another Jazz organ combo album. It takes a new direction - - the sound is modern and progressive… John Patton at times is earthy and bluesy and at other times, very off center and mesmerizing. Melodically the stuff he's doing is almost Coltrane-esque, however, John's style is to understate things, and play with your sense of melodic imagination. Its an interactive listen, but if you're not feeling deep, you can say, "What the heck !" and get up and dance and it'll be just as good. This is probably one of the most inspired sessions to come out of those studios.

Big John Patton's Soul Connection originally appeared on drummer Alvin Queen's Nilva label in 1983 - just before the organist's "rediscovery" by John Zorn in the 1990s. It is the lost gem in his catalog and showcases him in one of the most provocative quintets in his career; it feels quite directly like an extension of Patton's late Blue Note period on titles like Memphis to New York Spirit and Accent on the Blues. Patton is accompanied here by the great soul-jazz guitarist Melvin Sparks; tenor saxman Grant Reed; trombonist, composer, and arranger Grachan Moncur III; and Queen - who produced the set - on drums. Musically, the material reflects the diverse range and demeanor of this band. Reed is the least well-known member, but his jazz and funk associations run deep…

"Big" John Patton - Got A Good Thing Goin' (1966) {Blue Note Japan TOCJ-4229 rel 1997}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 239 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 86 Mb
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© 1966, 1997 Blue Note / Toshiba-EMI | TOCJ-4229 | 20bit/88kHz mastering
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Hard Bop / Jazz Blues / Hammond Organ

Grant Green always brought out the best in Big John Patton. Almost any record that featured the guitarist and organist was dominated by their scintillating interplay, and it always sounded like they were trying to top each other's blistering, funky solos. Patton and Green rarely sounded better than they did on Got a Good Thing Goin', a 1966 session that functioned as a showcase for the pair's dynamic interaction and exciting, invigorating solos. In particular, the duo's mastery is evident because there are no horns to stand in the way – only drummer Hugh Walker and conga player Richard Landrum provide support, leaving plenty of room for Green and Patton to run wild.

Big John Patton - Blue John (1963) {Blue Note Japan SHM-CD UCCQ-5008 rel 2014} (24-192 remaster)
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 500 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 173 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 297 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit 192 kHz remaster
© 1963, 2014 Universal Japan / Blue Note | BN 75th The Masterworks | UCCQ-5008
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Organ

Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and the latest 24bit 192kHz remastering. Insanely wonderful – and pretty darn rare! This album by John Patton was cut during the 60s, but never issued until the 80s – and even then, only briefly – yet it's easily one of our favorite records ever by this legendary Hammond player, thanks to lots of weird twists and turns! Although the record's led by Patton, it's more in the mad style of George Braith – who plays some wonderful sax on the session, in the manner of his excellent Laughing Soul album – a Prestige Records session cut with Patton and Grant Green around the same time.

"Big" John Patton - Oh Baby! (1965) {Blue Note Japan SHM-CD UCCQ-5113 rel 2015} (24-192 remaster)
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 279 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 96 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 182 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit 192 kHz remaster
© 1965, 2015 Universal Japan / Blue Note | BN 75th The Masterworks | UCCQ-5113
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Hard Bop / Jazz Funk / Organ Hammond B-3

Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and the latest 24bit 192kHz remastering. Oh Baby is right – as the album's one of the best John Patton albums for Blue Note – a perfect mix of funky organ and burning hardbop! The tracks hare are all originals penned for the album – mostly by Patton, but also by other group members – the kind of fresh grooves that made John's organ work for Blue Note really stand out from the rest of the 60s Hammond generation – very creative stuff, with occasional modern touches, and a rhythmic conception that's not only unusual, but which also really lets the soloists stretch out on their grooves! Players include Harold Vick on tenor, Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Ben Dixon on drums, and Grant Green on guitar – and the album's about as sharp as you can get for a Blue Note organ session. Titles include "Fat Judy", "Each Time", "One To Twelve", and "Night Flight".

Big John Patton - This One's For Ja (1996) {DIW Records Japan DIW-919 rec 1995}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 323 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 129 Mb
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© 1996 DIW Records Japan | DIW-919
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Hard Bop / Organ Hammond B-3

On the third album of his '90s comeback, Big John Patton chooses to create a relaxed vibe, smoothly grooving through a surprising choice of material. Most of the record consists of challenging songs like Coltrane's "Syeeda's Song Flute" and Grachan Moncur III's "Sonny's Back," which gives Patton – as well as his supporting band, featuring guitarist Ed Cherry and tenor saxophonist Dave Hubbard – the chance to create intricate yet accessible music. This is music that can be heard as simply a good groove yet it rewards careful listening. This One's for J.A. again confirms that Patton has made one of the rare comebacks in jazz, one that does justice to his earlier work.

Blue Note's So Blue, So Funky, Vol. 1 is a 12-track compilation that highlights the funkiest soul-jazz organists that recorded for the label, whether it was a leader or as a sideman. Although there's a handful of cuts from the early '60s, such as "Face to Face" by the terrific, underrated Baby Face Willette, the compilation leans toward the funky fusions of the late '60s, such as Big John Patton's "Fat Judy," Lou Donaldson's "Everything I Do Is Gon' Be Funky (From Now On)," Jack McDuff's "Butter for Yo' Popcorn" and Grant Green's "Ain't It Funky Now." The best thing about this comp is that even though it has familiar names, not all of the material is readily available on CD, which makes it of interest to casual groove fans and serious collectors alike.