Search - Charles Kynard :: Legends of Acid Jazz

Solid Soul-Jazz Combo

Michael Strom | Chicago, IL USA | 04/23/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Charles Kynard was one of the funky B3 organists who flourished in the '60's & '70's. His playing has a similarity in feel to Jimmy Smith's, with a feel both soulful & bluesy. One distinction you can note is the unusually prominent electric bass work from Jimmy Lewis, whose contributions & placement in the mix almost equal those of Kynard at times.Like other entries in the Legends of Acid Jazz series, this is a "two-fer" combining the albums "Afro-Disiac" & "Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui." Both boast top-notch combos with different players but a similar feel. "Afro-Disiac" includes Grant Green (guitar), Houston Person (sax), & Bernard Purdie (drums), while "Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui" has Rusty Bryant (sax), Melvin Sparks (guitar) & Idris Muhammad (drums). Most of the players have their own entries in the Legends of Acid Jazz series.This is a good, solid CD, although the 2 ballads do little for me the cover of George Harrison's "Something" is overly long & underly interesting. At his best, Kynard simmers but doesn't burn the way the stand-out cuts from Jimmy Smith or Lonnie (don't call me Liston) Smith do. You'll groove, but it won't make you holler. Definitely recommended."

Obscure but excellent

J. E FELL | Carterville, Illinois United States | 02/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Charles Kynard is a rather obscure organist from late sixties. He is not nearly as well known as label mates Jack McDuff, Groove Holmes or Charles Earland. This cd combines 2 lps "Afro-Disiac" and "Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui". The former features jazz guitar ace Grant Green and Houston Person on sax. The latter features Melvin Sparks on guitar and the underrated Rusty Bryant on sax. Both are prime examples of soul jazz. Cuts that stand out include "Zebra Walk" and "Wa-Tu-Wa-Zui." An excellent purchase, now if they would only reissue "The Soul Brotherhood" on cd."

Ouch ! Ouch ! Ouch !

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 12/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"YES ! ! ! Finally finally finally theyre bringing band MY MAN ! Charles Kynard was the funkiest man ever to sit behind the wheels of a Hammond B3 ever... Hes not kicking bass on many of these tracks, but hes still kickin out some pretty BAAAAAAAAD stuff. What this is (basically) is a funky B-3 players take on the early 70s Black Pop sound... (Need I say more ?) His playing is hot and sticky... its not for straight ahead Jazzers... its for those with a taste for PURE ORGANIC FUNK. - - Sadly, Charles Kynard is no longer with us, but his ultra energetc grooves are here to stay. Its the classic early 70s Jazz/Soul/Funk crossover sound. Charles Earland, Billy Preston, MMW, JBs, Meters and Funk Inc. fans will appreciate this. On the other hand, if Winton Marsalis and Nadjee are your cup of tea... look (I mean hide) elsewhere..."