This quintet date by guitarist Grant Green was one of the last of his Blue Note albums to be reissued on CD, and it is somewhat clear why. The musicians (Green, trumpeter Johnny Coles, tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, organist John Patton, and drummer Ben Dixon) play well enough, but…
On the heels of Matador and Solid, two of his most advanced albums, Grant Green decided to continue the more modal direction he’d begun pursuing with the help of members of Coltrane’s quartet. Accordingly, he hooked up with organist Larry Young, who was just beginning to come into his…
This languid, seductive gem may well be Grant Green’s greatest moment on record. Right from the opening bars of the classic title cut, Idle Moments is immediately ingratiating and accessible, featuring some of Green’s most stylish straight jazz playing. Whether he’s running warm (pianist Duke Pearson’s “Idle Moments”), cool…
Some of Grant Green’s hottest moments as a jazz-funk bandleader came on his live records of the era, which were filled with extended, smoking grooves and gritty ensemble interplay. Live at the Lighthouse makes a fine companion piece to the excellent Alive!, though there are some subtle differences which…
Grant Green’s second session with organist Larry Young, Street of Dreams brings back drummer Elvin Jones and adds Bobby Hutcherson on vibes for a mellow, dreamy album that lives up to its title. There are only four selections, all standards and all around eight to ten minutes long, and…
The third of three sessions Grant Green co-led with modal organist Larry Young and Coltrane drummer Elvin Jones, I Want to Hold Your Hand continues in the soft, easy style of its predecessor, Street of Dreams. This time, however — as one might guess from the title and cover…
Solid is a companion piece to the Grant Green classic Matador, recorded about a month later with the same rhythm section, and also not issued until 1979. Green is once again accompanied by the Coltrane supporting team of pianist McCoy Tyner and drummer Elvin Jones, plus bassist Bob Cranshaw;…
The second album of Grant Green’s thorough jazz-funk makeover, Green Is Beautiful finds the guitarist growing more comfortable with harder, funkier R&B than he seemed on the softer-hued Carryin’ On. The switch from Fender Rhodes electric piano back to the more traditional Hammond organ certainly helps give the session…
Alive! is the hardest funk LP Grant Green recorded during the later phase of his career, capturing a storming gig at Newark’s Cliché Lounge. The sweaty club atmosphere adds something to the music that’s difficult to pin down, yet unmistakably present — a certain organic quality that isn’t as…
