When Ronnie Laws first started recording as a leader in 1975, one of the saxman’s strongest allies wasWayne Henderson. That trombonist and founding member of the Crusaders (originally the Jazz Crusaders) was an expert when it came to combining the accessibility of soul and funk with the freedom of jazz, and his guidance proved…

The session that portended his light-touch, fusion-pop approach. ~ Ron Wynn

Review n/a

Acoustic guitarist Earl Klugh has always had an appealing sound, but so many of his recordings are sleepy affairs that do not raise themselves above the level of background music. This early session definitely falls into that category, and its reissue as a Blue Note CD reminds one of…

Jimmy McGriff’s B-3 sound was always rooted in blues and gospel, and his soloing could be very smooth and polished. But every once in a while, he had to break out of his own soul box and tear it up on a session. The Worm, issued on Solid State…

The title of Electric Funk may lead you to believe that it’s a set of unrepentant, rampaging hard funk, but that’s not quite the case. The record is laid-back but undeniably funky, with Jimmy McGriff and electric pianist Horace Ott leading an unnamed group through a set of soul…

Love Bug was an attempt to establish Reuben Wilson as an organist with either the vision of Larry Young or the fiery style of John Patton, and while it comes up short on both accounts, it nevertheless remains quite enjoyable. Working with an impressive backing band of guitarist Grant…

Set Us Free, Reuben Wilson’s final album for Blue Note, was issued in 1971. Since that time it has become an immortal and much sought classic by beatheads for a single track: “We’re in Love.” DJ Premier sampled it liberally — for its Hammond B-3 vamps, backing vocals, and…

This long-anticipated date by drummer Chambers, his first domestic production since the mid-’70s, is the personification of what modern jazz in the ’90s can be. Immaculately played and programmed, collectively inspired by brilliant musicianship, and triggered by the creative juices of its fearless leader, the date commands interest throughout,…

In 1998, Blue Note released Sal Salvador Quintet/Kenton Presents Jazz: Sal Salvador, which contained two complete albums — Sal Salvador Quintet (1954, originally released on Blue Note) and Kenton Presents Jazz: Sal Salvador (1954, originally released on Capitol) — by Sal Salvador on one compact disc. ~ Jason Birchmeier