Search - John Patton :: Let Em Roll

A BLUE NOTE GROOVE CLASSIC

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 12/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is INCREDIBLE. The way Bobby Hutcherson, Grant Green and John Patton lock in on their lines is almost surreal. The selections groove, but they're also deep, and the the musicians seem to connect on a deeply spiritual level. - - This is NOT just another Jazz organ combo album. It takes a new direction - - the sound is modern and progressive... John Patton at times is earthy and bluesy and at other times, very off center and mesmerizing. Melodically the stuff he's doing is almost Coltrane-esque, however, John's style is to understate things, and play with your sense of melodic imagination. Its an interactive listen, but if you're not feeling deep, you can say, "What the heck !" and get up and dance and it'll be just as good. This is probably one of the most inspired sessions to come out of those studios. - - Incidently, the cover to this album (I'm pretty sure its this one) is featured for the month of Janauary on the Millenium BLUE NOTE CALANDER which you can order through AMAZON. The cover is as firey and unforgetable as the sounds contained on the album."

Absolutely one of the best of genre

montego70 | NYC | 08/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hard Bop listeners will really enjoy this high intensity cooker of a studio session. Some 40 years later it remains without anything to really compare it to. It's my favorite John Patton album. The vintage 1965 line up here is just unbelievable and the grooves are deep and locked-in, like wet cement. All the solos are inspired. The addition of Bobby Hutcherson on the vibes adds a colorful and spacey new dimension of tonality along with John Patton's absolutely smoking B3. Grant Green's solos don't get any hotter. Otis "Candy" Finch drums with a solid, right on top of the beat ferocity that really kicks #@! Too bad he's not on many albums. Even John Patton's bass lines and comping are amazingly groovy. Check tune #2 "Latona", an uptempo latin-soul thing with a mesmerizing, infectious groove. This album puts the "Hard" in "Hard Bop". The control panel tubes at Van Gelder Studios must have been glowing hot that night."

One Of Patton's Best!

M. Conklin | Illinois, USA | 08/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"let' em roll is definitely one of john patton best albums. in a somewhat strange quartet setting, the band is comprised of a who's who on their respected instrument - john patton at the lead on organ, the incredible grant green on guitar, the incomparable bobby hutcherson on vibes and the lesser known otis finch on the kit. the music all has a tight jazz funk sound and occasionally hints of latin, lounge and instrumental memphis soul. not surprisingly, patton gets the largest chunk of solo time, but green and hutcherson get their share. green seems a little uncomfortable with the backup roll, often playing a little lazily and harping on the repetitive chords (which is somewhat strange since he has been an excellent sidemen on many occassions). when it's his turn to solo though, he is the king. let' em roll is a hip release, and although it may get forgotten among the many other blue note organ-based releases, it's an excellent recording."