LAST LISTENED TO many months ago
CHANCE OF WAKING TO IT are scraping the bottom of the barrel
RATING
I do like it when this happens. I've not listened to this track for ages and i'm really glad to have been reminded of it.
Brother Jack McDuff was one of the group of jazz organists that appeared in the wake of Jimmy Smith's success. McDuff like the others owes a great deal to Smith, although by the time of recording this, more than ten years into his career, his style had evolved some. It is slight slower and with far less emphasis on the higher notes when compared to Smith's style, making for a more funky, soulful sound.
1970, the year this track was recorded, was during McDuff's funkiest period, when he was putting out music on two of the best names in organ jazz: Cadet and Blue Note. The album containing this, To Seek A New Home, was recorded in London with a bunch of locals. By the sound of it, i'd say these guys where no strangers to session work, as this sounds remarkably like some of the best funk i've heard from the music library companies of the period. It also shows just how funky McDuff could be.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, he really has managed to put together a funk track that is quite jazzy, as opposed to jazz with a hint of funk. From the opening soft intro, the drum breaks, the wah-wah, the flute, clavinet and the funky, funky brass, this track has absolutely everything you want in a prime piece of funk. And, of course, over it all is Brother Jack's funky organ.
If i was ever forced to choose a favourite piece of organ jazz funk, i might very well choose this track. Considering my collection is weighted 20:1 in favour of Smith to McDuff, this has got to be a high recommendation!
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