Lou Donaldson Possum Head

Lou Donaldson - Musty Rusty (1965) {Jazz Beat JB508}
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© 1965, 2007 Jazz Beat | JB508
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Saxophone

This remastered two-fer assembles a pair of LPs cut for the Cadet label by saxophonist Lou Donaldson alongside organist Billy Gardner. Although issued on Cadet, 1965's Musty Rusty follows in much the same vein as Donaldson's previous LPs for Blue Note – credit reunions with the brilliant guitarist Grant Green and the underrated drummer Ben Dixon for the seamless transition, and even if Gardner can't quite yet fill the shoes of longtime Donaldson foil Big John Patton, the set's soulfulness and creativity still demand attention.

Lou Donaldson - Midnight Creeper (1968) {Blue Note Japan SHM-CD TYCJ-81081 rel 2014} (24-192 remaster)
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© 1968, 2014 Universal Japan / Blue Note | BN 75th The Masterworks | TYCJ-81081
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Soul Jazz / Saxophone

Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and the latest 24bit 192kHz remastering. Funky genius from Lou Donaldson – one of his first funky albums for Blue Note, and a real killer all the way through! The album has a great young group working with Lou – players that include Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Lonnie Smith on organ, Leo Morris (aka Idris Muhammed) on drums, and George Benson on guitar – grooving with that really soulful early sound of his! The album has that hard Lou Donaldson funky sound that still sounds fantastic today – and titles include "Dapper Dan", "Midnight Creeper", "Bag of Jewels", and "Love Power".

Lou Donaldson - Birdseed (1992) {Milestone MCD-9198-2}
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© 1992 Milestone / Fantasy | MCD-9198-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Soul Jazz / Saxophone

Like fellow alto saxophonists Phil Woods, Jackie McLean, Frank Morgan, Ernie Henry, and Sonny Criss, Lou Donaldson started out with a very Charlie Parker-like tone but went on to develop a recognizable sound of his own. Bird's influence never disappeared from Donaldson's playing, although he successfully combined that influence with many ideas of his own. The title Birdseed might lead some to wonder if this 1992 date is a tribute to Parker – it isn't, and the CD doesn't contain any Parker songs at all.

Lou Donaldson - Good Gracious! (1963) {Blue Note Rare Groove Series, CDP 54325 rel 1997}
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© 1963, 1997 Blue Note / Capitol Records | 7243 8 54325 2 1
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Saxophone / Guitar / Organ

Good Gracious may be Lou Donaldson's record, but guitarist Grant Green and organist John Patton steal the show. Working with a tight, soulful groove laid down by drummer Ben Dixon, the guitarist and organist trade hot lines that often steal the thunder from Donaldson, who nevertheless turns in a robust, tuneful performance. Donaldson's tone is richer and fuller than it is on many of his early-'60s records, and he really connects with the laid-back R&B grooves and soul-jazz vamps on Good Gracious, turning in melodic, memorable solos.

Alligator Bogaloo is one example of Lou Donaldson's successful combinations of hard bop and soul-jazz. Of the six tunes, three are Donaldson originals, including the title hit. The excellent band, consisting of Melvin Lastin, Sr. on cornet, George Benson on guitar, Lonnie Smith on organ, and Leo Morris on drums, mixes laid-back vamps beneath driving hard bop charts. ~ AllMusic