Cookin With the Mighty Burner
With his fluid bass lines, perfect grooves, and tasteful solo lines, organist Charles Earland created some of the finest recordings of the soul jazz genre three decades ago. On this 1999 date, Earland touches on those early successes, including some tunes that he first recorded onLiving Blackin 1970,Miles Davis's "Milestones," andBenny Golson's "Killer Joe." He's also accompanied by some longtime associates, including guitaristMelvin Sparks(present on Earland's early masterwork,Black Talkfrom 1969) and drummer Bobby Durham, who he first worked with in the '60s. With percussionist Gary Fritz, Earland's is a great team of under-recognized veterans, and they're joined by two formidable younger players, tenor saxophonistEric Alexanderand trumpeter James Rotondi. The combination of youth and experience with hard bop tunes (Horace Silver's "Sister Sadie" is a highlight) and soul grooves creates one of the finest sessions the genre has produced in years. --Stuart Broomer