Search - Jimmy McGriff :: Feelin It

Organist McGriff is 65 now, a soul-jazz survivor who's been serving up first-rate funk for 40 years. McGriff first surfaced in the wake of Jimmy Smith, but his roots go even deeper, adding the relaxed swing of the Basie band to the potent mix of gospel, R&B, and bop that drove the organ-jazz movement. McGriff leads two bands here, an all-star sextet and his working quartet, with four tracks given over to each. The date is dedicated to the memory of the great tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, but there's nothing melancholy here, just a celebration of a vital tradition. Recorded over two days by Rudy Van Gelder at his New Jersey studio, this CD feels like a classic '60s soul session in every way, without a hint of artificiality or any straining for effect. From the musicians to the sound, it's the real thing. The sextet sets McGriff solidly amongst musicians of his own generation, with a riffing saxophone section that's made up of Bill Easley's liquid alto, David "Fathead" Newman's booting tenor, and Ronnie Cuber's bristling baritone. Melvin Sparks is masterful on guitar, from chunking rhythm to solos that always find new turns on familiar themes, while the younger Kenny Washington contributes spare and sparkling drums. It's a band that's built from the ground up, with McGriff's fluid pedal bass, and creamy, understated chords setting a relaxed groove on every track. "Stan's Shuffle" is as apt to invoke Basie as Turrentine, while "Sermonizing" is solidly sanctified. McGriff's working quartet--with Easley on tenor, Wayne Boyd on guitar, and Don Williams on drums--is just as good, whether playing the up- beat funk of "Us" or finding and expanding a gospel dimension in Miles Davis's classic "All Blues." --Stuart Broomer