The tunes by guitarist Rodney Jones are the absolute funkiest! They include the down-home opener, "Neckbones a la Carte." plus the title cut and "Grits, Gravy and Groove." George Benson, a non-playing guest, contributes "Red Cadillac Boogaloo." A bouncing "Red Roses for a Blue Lady" and sensitive "That's All" provide contrast. Then, if you want to hear twin tenors just burn through the blues check out Bill Easley and Eric Alexander on "Blues for Stitt." Sonny would approve! With only eight cuts in an hour of play the soloists have plenty of room and make good use of that time. Trumpeter Kenny Rampton is suitably down and dirty on Dr. Lonnie Smith's slow blues, "Dishing the Dirt" while drummer Bernard Purdy, the baron of backbeat, keeps the mix lively.
My partiality towards the Hammond B-3 dates back to hearing Boston favorite Joe Bucci's Basie album as well as listening to the Count himself on Pablo's "Basie Jam." The treat for fellow organ fans is that there are TWO organists on this CD. Dr. Lonnie Smith joins Jimmy McGriff are on half the cuts-and they are sympatico!
This one's a toe-tapper! Enjoy!
