Blue Note Presents – Droppin’ Science
Track Listing:
~ Its Your Thing – Lou Donaldson
~ Mystic Brew – Ronnie Foster
~ Think Twice – Donald Byrd
~ The Edge – David McCallum
~ Oblighetto – Brother Jack McDuff
~ Get Out Of My Life – Joe Williams
~ Down Here On The Ground – Grant Green
~ Spinning Wheel – Lonnie Smith
~ Howling For Judy – Jeremy Steig
~ Who’s Making Love – Lou Donaldson
~ Little Green Apple’s (Bonus) – Monk Higgins
~ Wind Parade (Bonus) – Donald Byrd
~ Tidal Wave (Bonus) – William Jeffrey
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to discover what really is the true meaning of soul-funk jazz. Not unless you forgot about the golden days of the 60’s & the 70’s. If you did, then the world of jazz hasn’t really opened up to you yet. Please take it from me. With a vinyl collection large enough to expand your dimensions & previously being one of the owners of www.contemporaryjazz.com, along with countless hours of experience in jazz conversations – on line & on the telephone with some of the serious jazz listeners, collectors & musicians from around the world – Soul/Funk Jazz should be a discussion all by itself. And quite possibly, T.U.M.S. may officially start a forum here on the website to get the ball rollin’…
Because after all those years, Blue Note finally came together to say to the world, ‘look – check out some serious soul jazz’.
And “Droppin Science” wasted no time in magnifying those whose music help catapulted the genre to golden status. From Grant Green, considered possibly one of the greatest jazz guitar players of all time…..to…..Brother Jack McDuff, considered one of the baddest dudes in soul-jazz…to….Lou Donaldson, considered one of the funkiest soul jazz cats to ever grace the scene…to…..to……to…..Its a no-brainer. Especially when the origins of the title song from the camp of The Isley Brothers entitled “Its Your Thing” is being covered by Lou Donaldson. WATCH OUT!!!!
Please re-consider your collection if any of those names I have mentioned isn’t in your portfolio. Its very important to note that the players names listed on the tracks given has given us music so strong beyond our years, that smooth jazz will possibly never be able to sit amongst the stars with them. In fact, it’s what drove smooth jazz. The elements of R&B & blues very much prevalent in the style produced & arranged. The only way to fully apprehend it is to gather yourself & playback the entire “Droppin’ Science” project without any interruptions. Allow yourself to swallow in, digest the flavor so funky, you will think for the moment you got transfered back home to your grandparents.
And Blue Note didn’t mess around bringin’ these cats out! This album, in my opinion, should have been vol. 1 of a series of 10. So many other names not mentioned….
However, look for this to drop on your doorstep come February of 2008. This was an advance review!
Terrill J. Hanna
The Urban Music Scene
For more information, song samples & purchase, please visit Amazon today!