Online And Looking Good: Sweet As Soul Sugar

Jimmy McGriff: Dig On It and The Now Thing
From: Soul Sugar [Capitol, 1971]

Oh, hey, how you doing? Apologies to all of you who have been clicking here to get a music fix and instead been offered lotions for unsightly pimples but, as is the way with all matters electronic, things took a little longer than planned to resolve (there's nothing like trying to fax photocopies of birth certificates to foreign countries to brighten up your office day).

There are actually some pretty epic posts in the works (including a long planned post on golden era UK hip hop for the 3 fans of it) but I've been so tied up getting the site back that they're still unfinished and getting back online today has caught me as much by surprise as anyone.

However, there's no way I could celebrate being back without a tune or two and, as luck would have it, I always keep a couple of albums I'm considering posting about on my (t)rusty Mp3 player. Therefore I'm delighted to offer the music of Jimmy Mcgriff's Soul Sugar for you today.

Widely recognised as one of the true peaks of the soul jazz albums of the seventies, this grooves as hard as anything out there. It's like Jimmy sat down and said: "You know what? I have no interest in beating round the bush on this one, it's just got to be funky". Well, maybe not, but you get the idea (give me a break, I'm freestyling this here).

Dig On It encapsulates everything I like about funky organ tracks in it's three minute playing time. Starting with the epitome of a funky riff the track fits straight into the groove with Jimmy's trademark organ sound flitting in and out over the (sadly uncredited) band's rhythms.

The Now Thing features more bass and percussion loveliness from Jimmy's band with a heavier focus on the brass instruments. Jimmy once again displays his love of finding a great groove and exploiting it to the maximum. This is music that can't help but brighten your day.

Oh yeah, shout out to the cover designer for taking on the Ohio Players at their own game with that image as well. "Oh my" doesn't really cover it.

Good to be back, enjoy the music.

Salt Song

Stanley Turrentine: Gibraltar & I Told Jesus
From: Salt Song [CTI, 1971]

As the art and title suggest, Salt Song, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine's second album for CTI, is an earthy record; the album unfolds with a patient, almost tidal energy. It's a nice melange of Brazilian-influenced jazz, gospel, blues, and R&B with a touch of funk.

With a decade of Blue Note works behind him, Turrentine was already an accomplished musician at this point in his career. As such, his song selection, arrangements, and playing feel comfortable and unencumbered of any need to prove chops. As well, the performances tend to favor group dynamics rather than solo expositions. This benefits the listener because Turrentine has assembled a fine group of musicians, including: Ron Carter on bass, Billy Cobham and Airto Moriera on drums/percussion, Eumir Deodate on keys, and Eric Gale on guitar.

The opening track Gibraltar, a Freddie Hubbard piece, bounces & grooves along effortlessly on Carter's bass. Gale then steps in and delivers a stand-out performance. His understated tone, chord-voicing, and picking patterns really anchor the groove and establish an upbeat melodic sensibility that fills space without dominating the scene. Eric Gale is new to me so I did some research and discovered him to be a very respected session man; perhaps the most telling description is that he's known as a "guitarist's guitarist".

Turrentine then begins to take the reigns on the gospel standard I Told Jesus with some lovely, bluesy soloing. Margaret Branch, Brenda Bryant, and Patricia Smith provide the vocals. The singing on this album is really what makes this record find its way onto my turntable more often than other jazz records. I love instrumental music, but sometimes a human voice really opens up the experience. I'd be curious if any Earfuzz readers have suggestions for other jazz albums with well-timed vocal moments- preferably vocals with gospel leanings.