Richard Holmes

Ironically, Gene "Jug" Ammons tended to be critical of organists; he was quoted as saying that "organ players don't know any changes." However, as critical the Chicago tenor saxman might have been of organists - most of them, anyway - he did some of his best work in their presence. When you united Ammons with Jack McDuff, Johnny "Hammond" Smith and other B-3 masters in the '60s, the sparks would fly. They certainly fly on this excellent album, which finds Ammons and Richard "Groove" Holmes co-leading a soul-jazz/hard bop organ combo that also includes guitarist Gene Edwards and drummer Leroy Henderson…

Talkin’ about playing bass! Richard “Groove” Holmes was a master at this particular aspect of Hammond jazz. Live date Onsaya Joy finds him locking in spontaneously with Orville J. Saunders II’s guitar solo and ‘walkin’ as if supporting Fresh-era Sly Stone on a Fender bass guitar on both the title track and Horace Silver’s Song For My Father. His command of the bass pedals is a highlight of this album. The rock beat of drummer Thomas Washington Jr. is less enamouring. With all due respect, one would wish for a more delicate and experienced approach. Sweet Georgia Brown has a ferocious tempo that outdoes Jimmy Smith’s short distance runner at Club Baby Grand. And make no bones about it, the man handles it eloquently, comping competently and soloing as if a hellhound’s on his trail.

Night Glider is a solid early-'70s funk-jazz set from organist Richard "Groove" Holmes. Propelled by the catchy title track written by fellow keyboardist Horace Ott (who appears here), the album features mostly groove-oriented originals. However, two Carole King-penned tunes, "It's Going to Take Some Time" and "Go Away Little Girl," also add period flair with their mix of R&B soulfulness and singer/songwriter melodicism. Joining Holmes are such soul-jazz regulars as drummer Bernard Purdie, trombonist Garnett Brown, and saxophonist Seldon Powell. Rounding out the group are guitarist Lloyd Davis, bassist Paul Martinez, and conga/bongo player Kwasi Jayourba.