Gregory Lewis, Organ Monk Going Home, Sunnyside ***1/2

The music of Thelonious Monk played on a Hammond organ sounds so different. Strip away the salty feints, parries and knotty clusters you know from the piano sound and add in a jaunty celebratory feel and you land right in the middle of this record. …

Published: 4 Aug 2023. Updated: 52 days.

The music of Thelonious Monk played on a Hammond organ sounds so different. Strip away the salty feints, parries and knotty clusters you know from the piano sound and add in a jaunty celebratory feel and you land right in the middle of this record. An OGD setting - organ from Gregory Lewis, guitar Kevin McNeal and drums Nasheet Waits best known for his work with Jason Moran - it doesn't take long to swing. American player Lewis takes inspiration from Larry Young recording the album at the Samurai Hotel Recording Studio last year. McNeal is particularly effective on 'Evidence' and throughout there is a lot of expansive interplay between the trio as shards of melody dance into more open play and add yet more insights into the unique world of Monk courtesy of such a lively trio that immerses itself in the sound and feel of the master.

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George Freeman, The Good Life, HighNote ***1/2

The product of a remarkable jazz family the brother of Chicago legend Von, nephew sax hero Chico and now in his nineties, guitarist George Freeman whose long recording career includes appearances on albums by Gene Ammons, Richard Groove Holmes and …

Published: 3 Aug 2023. Updated: 53 days.

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The product of a remarkable jazz family the brother of Chicago legend Von, nephew sax hero Chico and now in his nineties, guitarist George Freeman whose long recording career includes appearances on albums by Gene Ammons, Richard Groove Holmes and pertinently here Jimmy McGriff proves a stately presence on The Good Life an album also notable for one of the last featuring Joey De Francesco - see also the recently reviewed Jack Jones release ArtWork. With something of an American jazz straightahead A-list of a cast list in tow - Christian McBride is on four tracks while Carl Allen and Lewis Nash share drum duties - with Joey in mind gravitate most to 'Mr D' but check out the full toned Christian McBride sound sprinkled generously that Freeman responds to well. Everyone came to swing for an elder still hanging with some of the greatest cats around and holding his head high.