Richard 'Groove' Holmes - Somethin' Special

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:08
Size: 109,6 MB
Art: Front

(9:12)  1. Something Special
(5:46)  2. Black Groove
(3:11)  3. Me & Groove
(5:17)  4. Comin' Through The Apple
(6:30)  5. I Though I Knew You
(5:27)  6. Carma
(5:41)  7. Blow The Man Down
(6:01)  8. Satin Doll

Somethin' Special is a laidback, funky classic which features Richard "Groove" Holmes trading licks with pianist Les McCann, saxophonist Clifford Scott and guitarist Joe Pass, who makes one of his first recorded appearances on this album. It's a fine, infectious album, highlighed by Holmes and McCann's stylish solo. Blue Note's 1997 CD reissue features two bonus cuts, including one that features saxophonist Ben Webster. ~ Leo Stanley https://www.allmusic.com/album/somethin-special-mw0000098677

Personnel: Richard "Groove" Holmes – organ; Les McCann – piano; Clifford Scott – alto saxophone, tenor saxophone; Joe Pass – guitar.

Somethin' Special

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Richard "Groove" Holmes - Blue Groove

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:33
Size: 167,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:42) 1. Get up and Get It
(5:11) 2. Lee-Ann
(9:23) 3. Body and Soul
(5:26) 4. Broadway
(8:04) 5. Groove's Blues Groove
(6:28) 6. Pennies from Heaven
(4:41) 7. Autumn Leaves
(6:45) 8. There Is No Greater Love
(5:30) 9. Denise
(7:57) 10. Things Ain't What They Used to Be
(7:21) 11. Up Jumped Spring

This CD, which reissues two former LPs by Richard "Groove" Holmes (Get Up & Get It and Soul Mist), showcases the organist in a quintet featuring the tenor of Teddy Edwards and guitarist Pat Martino, with his trio, and (on two standards) with trumpeter Blue Mitchell and tenor saxophonist Harold Vick. Overall, this 73-minute set has many fine solos, spirited ensembles, and two well-rounded programs. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-groove-mw0000111626

Personnel: Bass – Paul Chambers (3) (tracks: 1 to 6); Drums – Billy Higgins (tracks: 1 to 6), Freddie Waits (tracks: 9, 11), George Randall (tracks: 7 to 8, 10); Guitar – Gene Edwards (tracks: 7 to 11), Pat Martino (tracks: 1 to 6); Organ – Richard "Groove" Holmes; Tenor Saxophone – Harold Vick (tracks: 8, 10), Teddy Edwards (tracks: 1 to 6); Trumpet – Blue Mitchell (tracks: 8, 10)

Blue Groove

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Richard 'Groove' Holmes - Get Up & Get It!

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1967
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:01
Size: 92,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:40) 1. Get Up And Get It
(5:08) 2. Lee-Ann
(9:21) 3. Body And Soul
(5:23) 4. Broadway
(8:02) 5. Groove's Blues Groove
(6:25) 6. Pennies From Heaven

The organ trio format is so ensconced in the minds of soul-jazz fans that hearing this album, which puts Richard "Groove" Holmes' funky Hammond B3 in the context of a larger group, sounds odd and over-produced at first. Putting Holmes' bottom-heavy instrument against a guitar-bass-drums trio and then adding Teddy Edwards' tenor saxophone on top to take most of the melody lines sounds on paper like it should be a thick, muddy mess, but thankfully, Holmes' sidemen are up to the task at hand and steer clear of over-playing. The great Paul Chambers, one of the best bassists of the post-bop generation, mostly leaves the bottom to Holmes' left hand, leaving himself free to add intriguing little accents and filigrees to the rhythm, and guitarist Pat Martino wisely avoids the temptation to do much more than comp unobtrusively and take the occasional brief solo. Billy Higgins, of course, is one of the great drummers of his time and plays solidly throughout. The original "Groove's Blue Groove" is a particular highlight, but the entire album is worthy.~Steward Mason https://www.allmusic.com/album/get-up-and-get-it%21-mw0000893219

Personnel: Organ – Richard "Groove" Holmes, Bass – Paul Chambers (3), Drums – Billy Higgins, Guitar – Pat Martino; Tenor Saxophone – Teddy Edwards

Get Up & Get It!

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Richard "Groove" Holmes, Les McCann - Players

Styles: Hard Bop, Soul-Jazz
Year: 2020
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:04
Size: 159,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:34)  1. That Healin' Feelin'
(4:30)  2. God Bless the Child
(3:24)  3. Next Spring
(6:21)  4. Them That's Got
(4:23)  5. How Long Blues
(8:13)  6. Good Groove
(5:57)  7. Willow Weep for Me
(5:18)  8. Just Friends
(3:12)  9. C.C. Rider
(4:08) 10. Licks a Plenty
(9:10) 11. Deep Purple
(4:43) 12. St. James Infirmary
(4:04) 13. Seven Come Eleven

Revered in soul-jazz circles, Richard "Groove" Holmes was an unapologetically swinging Jimmy Smith admirer who could effortlessly move from the grittiest of blues to the most sentimental of ballads. A very accessible, straightforward, and warm player, Holmes was especially popular in the black community and had been well respected on the Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey circuit by the time he signed with Pacific Jazz in the early '60s. He started receiving national attention by recording with such greats as Ben Webster and Gene Ammons. Best known for his hit 1965 version of "Misty," Holmes engaged in some inspired organ battles with Jimmy McGriff in the early '70s before turning to electric keyboards and fusion-ish material a few years later. The organ was Holmes' priority in the mid- to late '80s, when he recorded for Muse (he also had stints throughout his career with Prestige Records and Groove Merchant). Holmes was still delivering high-quality soul-jazz for Muse (often featuring tenor titan Houston Person) when a heart attack claimed his life at the age of 60 in 1991 after a long struggle with prostate cancer. He was a musician to the end, playing his last shows in a wheelchair. ~ Alex Henderson https://www.allmusic.com/artist/richard-groove-holmes-mn0000848952/biography

Players

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Lou Rawls - Black and Blue,Tobacco Road (Digital Remastered)

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:43
Size: 176,6 MB
Art: Front

(1:52)  1. Roll 'Em Pete
(3:35)  2. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water
(4:22)  3. How Long, How Long Blues
(2:32)  4. Every Day, I Have The Blues
(4:42)  5. St. James Infirmary
(3:30)  6. (What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue
(3:07)  7. Gloomy Sunday
(2:12)  8. Kansas City
(2:53)  9. Goin' To Chicago Blues
(3:52) 10. Trouble In Mind
(3:11) 11. World Of Trouble
(3:02) 12. Six Cold Feet Of Ground
(3:28) 13. Strange Fruit
(4:01) 14. Tobacco Road
(2:10) 15. Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song)
(1:57) 16. Rockin' Chair
(3:02) 17. Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All The Time)
(3:50) 18. Old Man River
(3:30) 19. Blues For A Four String Guitar
(2:28) 20. St. Louis Blues
(3:19) 21. Georgia On My Mind
(3:20) 22. Sentimental Journey
(3:34) 23. Summertime
(3:05) 24. When It's Sleepy Time Down South

Black and Blue and Tobacco Road were Lou Rawls' third and fourth records for Capitol cut in 1962 and 1963, respectively. The powers that be at the label made the decision to send Rawls into the studio with a swinging big band under the direction of Onzy Matthews and featuring some real heavyweights like saxophonists Curtis Amy, Teddy Edwards, and Sonny Criss; organist Groove Holmes; and bassist Curtis Counce. The choice didn't pan out commercially, but artistically it is a triumph. The band is perfect, the arrangements are tight and interesting, and Rawls sounds completely in his element as he belts out jazz standards like "Summertime" and "Gloomy Sunday." Most of the records are devoted to blues standards like "Trouble in Mind," "Stormy Weather," "St. James Infirmary," and "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water," and while on paper they may look like the same old songs everyone does, Rawls brings them to life and even sets a few ablaze with his rich, rough, and powerful vocals. The best moment is his sparse and exhilarating version of "Tobacco Road," a tune that has come to be associated with him, mostly due to his live version cut a couple of years later on Lou Rawls Live! This version is a touch less exciting but just as impressive, and it is a treat to hear. In fact, both albums are a treat. Rawls may just be starting his long career, but he sounds fully formed, relaxed, and at home with the big band behind him. It makes for some of the most enjoyable Lou Rawls you'll hear, and fans of Rawls and great jazz and blues vocals should rejoice that Capitol has finally made the records available on CD. ~ Tim Sendra https://www.allmusic.com/album/black-and-blue-tobacco-road-mw0000442588

Personnel:  Lou Rawls, vocal, accompanied by: Bud Brisbois, Bob Rolfe, James Dalton Smith, Freddie Hill (tp); Horace Tapscott, Lou Blackburn, Dick "Slyde" Hyde, Ron Smith (tb); Joe Maini (as) Curtis Amy (sop,ts) Clifford Solomon (ts); Clifford Scott, Jay Migliori (ts,fl) Sidney Miller (bar); Onzy Matthews (p,arr,ldr) Richard "Groove" Holmes (org) ; Gene Edwards (g) Leroy Johnson (d)

Black and Blue,Tobacco Road

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Richard 'Groove' Holmes - On Basie's Bandstand

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop 
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:02
Size: 124,6 MB
Art: Front

( 9:32)  1. Back Home Again In Indiana
( 7:26)  2. Moanin'
( 5:08)  3. When I Grow Too Old To Dream
(12:18)  4. Rifftide
( 9:10)  5. This Here
( 7:09)  6. Nica's Dream
( 3:16)  7. Night Train

The years 1965 to 1968, during which which Richard "Groove" Holmes recorded for Prestige, comprised his career's best period, and thus a previously unreleased Prestige recording is very welcome. Groove Holmes joined the label in August 1965 with one of the jazz organ's finest albums, Soul Message. The following April, Prestige recorded Holmes at Count Basie's nightclub in Harlem. Five songs were taken from the gig and released in time for Christmas as Living Soul. During the summer of 1966 a truncated version of "Misty" taken from the first album was a radio smash. In early 1967, Prestige released a third album by Holmes, included in it the 45 version of "Misty," and gave it that name. The reissue story for these trio records goes as follows. Fantasy reissued Soul Message and Misty as OJC editions. Living Soul was combined with Holmes' fourth Prestige record, Spicy, on a CD titled after the latter but featuring the cover from the former. For the first time, Fantasy has now made available the remaining seven songs from the April 1966 gig, entitled On Basie's Bandstand. Holmes' style progressed noticeably from the first to the third album, and these tapes provide an interesting look at the midpoint between Soul Message and Misty.Guitarist Gene Edwards appeared on all of these albums. Drummer George Randall replaced Jimmie Smith on the second and remained with the group for the rest. On this album, Edwards takes a lengthy solo on every track. 

The CD opens with a very up-tempo "Back Home Again in Indiana." "Moanin'" is slower, as you can imagine, but nevertheless faster than usual. "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" is relaxed yet swinging. In truth, every song here swings hard. There's never a dull moment. The most rockin' song is Coleman Hawkins' "Rifftide," whose melody is reminiscent of "Well You Needn't." Taken at breakneck speed, Groove utilizes his trademark hold-the-high-note-forever technique. His footwork on the bass pedals is not to be believed. How did he do it all at once? The pace returns to normal for "This Here," but the vigor picks up somewhat for the solos. "Nica's Dream" is up-tempo, yet mellow due to the song's harmonies. The album closes with the relatively slow groove of "Night Train." On Basie's Bandstand is a valuable addition to the Groove Holmes canon, not a day too old after waiting 37 years to finally see the light of day. ~ Russell Moon https://www.allaboutjazz.com/on-basies-bandstand-richard-groove-holmes-prestige-records-review-by-russell-moon.php

Personnel: Richard "Groove" Holmes (organ); Gene Edwards (guitar); George Randall (drums).

On Basie's Bandstand

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Richard 'Groove' Holmes, Jimmy Witherspoon - Groovin' With Jimmy

Styles: Jazz, Hard Bop
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:38
Size: 165,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:33)  1. Groove's Groove
(3:21)  2. California Blues
(6:44)  3. What A Wonderful World
(4:07)  4. Misty
(4:18)  5. Walking On A Tightrope
(7:33)  6. Slow Blues In G
(7:08)  7. Song For My Father
(8:22)  8. My Friend
(7:06)  9. Lonesome Road Blues
(7:24) 10. Onsaya Joy
(7:51) 11. Danger Zone Is Everywhere
(3:06) 12. The Time Has Come

Revered in soul-jazz circles, Richard "Groove" Holmes was an unapologetically swinging Jimmy Smith admirer who could effortlessly move from the grittiest of blues to the most sentimental of ballads. Holmes, a very accessible, straightforward and warm player who was especially popular in the black community, had been well respected on the Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey circuit by the time he signed with Pacific Jazz in the early '60s and started receiving national attention by recording with such greats as Ben Webster and Gene Ammons. Holmes, best known for his hit 1965 version of "Misty," engaged in some inspired organ battles with Jimmy McGriff in the early '70s before turning to electric keyboards and fusion-ish material a few years later. The organ was Holmes' priority in the mid- to late '80s, when he recorded for Muse (he also had stints throughout his career with Prestige Records and Groove Merchant) . 

Holmes was still delivering high-quality soul-jazz for Muse (often featuring tenor titan Houston Person) when a heart attack claimed his life at the age of 60 in 1991 after a long struggle with prostrate cancer. He was a musician to the end, playing his last shows in a wheelchair. ~ Alex Henderson https://www.allmusic.com/artist/richard-groove-holmes-mn0000848952/biography

Groovin' With Jimmy

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Richard "Groove" Holmes - Workin' On A Groovy Thing

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1969
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:58
Size: 85,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:15)  1. Isole Natale
(3:58)  2. Do You Know The Way To San Jose
(2:48)  3. Workin' On A Groovy Thing
(2:36)  4. Oklahoma Toad
(4:43)  5. High Blues Pressure
(4:07)  6. Listen Here
(3:32)  7. In And Out
(2:46)  8. Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife
(4:16)  9. Rhythm And Groove
(2:54) 10. I Can't Stop Dancing

Groove Holmes and Gerald Wilson  a wonderful combination on this late 60s session in a style that's everything great about mainstream LA jazz at the time! Wilson really has a way with the charts on the session and although the group is large, they've got a lean, clean sound that bounces along nicely slightly funky at times, always soulful at others a perfect backdrop for the well-played Hammond lines that Groove brings to the set! The album's not as much of an all-out organ wailer as some of Holmes' albums for Prestige but that's a-ok with us, because Wilson's group features some other great players too including Dennis Budimir on guitar, Tony Ortega and Arnie Watts on saxes, and Paul Humphrey on drums! Titles include "Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife", "High Blues Pressure", "Listen Here", "Oklahoma Toad", "Rhythm & Groove", "In & Out", and "Isole Natalie".  © 1996-2018, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/4536/Richard-Groove-Holmes:Workin%27-On-A-Groovy-Thing
 

Personnel:   Richard "Groove" Holmes - organ;   Paul Humphrey - drums;  Ernie Watts - alto saxophone;  Anthony Ortega - alto saxophone;  Richard Aplanalp - baritone saxophone;  Frank Strong - trombone;  Thurman Green - trombone;  Mike Wimberly - bass trombone;  Jerome Rusch - trumpet;  Larry McGuire - trumpet;  Paul Hubinon - trumpet;  Herbert Anderson - trumpet;   William Peterson - trumpet;  Dennis Budimir - guitar;  Wilton Felder - bass

Workin' On A Groovy Thing

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Richard "Groove" Holmes - Welcome Home

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1969
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:16
Size: 80,7 MB
Art: Front

(7:20)  1. Groovin' Time
(5:09)  2. Oklahoma Toad
(4:56)  3. Upward Bound
(5:26)  4. The Madison Time
(2:44)  5. The Odd Couple
(2:48)  6. I'm In The Mood For Love
(3:24)  7. 98.6 - Lazy Day
(2:24)  8. Sunday Mornin'

Groovy set of soul jazz organ tracks that has Groove playing with a large-ish group that includes George Freeman, Tom Scott, Anthony Ortega, Wilton Felder, and Paul Humphrey. The set's not totally hard and funky, but it's got a nice soulful swinging groove, with a tight LA 60s sound to it. Includes a nice version of "Madison Time", plus "Groovin Time", "Oklahoma Toad", "Upward Bound", and "The Odd Couple". (Cover has unglued seams and a torn corner in the front panel.)  © 1996-2018, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/17477/Richard-Groove-Holmes:Welcome-Home

Personnel:  Richard "Groove" Holmes - organ;  Chuck Findley - trumpet;  Anthony Ortega, Tom Scott - alto saxophone;  Teddy Edwards - tenor saxophone;  Wilton Felder - baritone saxophone, electric bass;  Joe Sample - piano;  George Freeman, Michael Anthony - guitar;  Paul Humphrey - drums

Welcome Home

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Jimmy McGriff & Groove Holmes - Giants of the Organ Come Together

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1973
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:08
Size: 95,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:59)  1. Licks A' Plenty
(8:33)  2. Out of Nowhere
(5:24)  3. The Squirrel
(6:18)  4. Finger Lickin' Good
(7:03)  5. How High the Moon
(6:48)  6. Things Ain't What They Used to Be

Twin organs back to back and a heck of a hard-wailing set from Groove Holmes and Jimmy McGriff! The album cooks from the very first note and features long tunes that open up with the same sort of solo-heavy approach that you'd get on Holmes' Prestige albums of the 60s very stretched out, in a way that offers the keyboardists no cover at all, and forces them to keep thinking on their feet to come up with great notes! 

Bernard Purdie plays some nicely tight drums on the set, and guitar is by George Freeman and O'Donel Levy both of whom add some nice superdope touches to the set! A winner all the way through, with great solos and titles that include "Licks A Plenty", "The Squirrel", and "Finger Lickin' Good". © 1996-2017, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/6135/Jimmy-McGriff-Richard-Groove-Holmes:Giants-Of-The-Organ-Come-Together

Personnel:  Organ – Jimmy McGriff,  Richard 'Groove' Holmes;  Congas – Kwasi Jayourba;  Drums – Bernard Purdie;  Guitar – George Freeman, O'Donel Levy

Giants of the Organ Come Together

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Richard 'Groove' Holmes - After Hours

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:55
Size: 149,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:36)  1. Sweatin'
(2:56)  2. Jeannine
(4:13)  3. Minor Surgery
(4:08)  4. This Here
(5:16)  5. It Might as Well Be Spring
(5:21)  6. Moose the Mooche
(6:46)  7. Groove's Bag
(2:33)  8. Hallelujah, I Love her So
(5:25)  9. After Hours
(4:34) 10. Later
(5:01) 11. Do It My Way
(6:44) 12. Secret Love
(3:16) 13. Denise

Richard "Groove" Holmes was one of the first jazz organists to emerge after the rise of Jimmy Smith (who would remain a lifelong influence). Holmes had a lighter tone on the more up-tempo pieces, but on the ballads (such as "Denise" on this set) his organ could give the impression of weighing a ton. This CD reissue combines together most of the music from Holmes' two early albums: After Hours and Tell It like It 'Tis. 

These trio renditions (with either Joe Pass or Gene Edwards on guitar and Larance Marable or Leroy Henderson on drums) give one a strong sampling of the organist's talents on a variety of blues, bop standards, and obscure originals. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/after-hours-mw0000184447

Personnel: Richard Groove Holmes (organ); Joe Pass, Gene Edwards (guitar); Larance Marable, Leroy Henderson (drums).

After Hours

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Groove Holmes, Jimmy McGriff, Junior Parker - Troubadours Of Groove

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:49
Size: 86.6 MB
Styles: R&B, Soul- jazz
Year: 1996/2012
Art: Front

[3:30] 1. Richard 'Groove' Holmes - Groove Grease
[3:11] 2. Richard 'Groove' Holmes - The Bird
[3:34] 3. Richard 'Groove' Holmes - Plain Brown Bag
[3:38] 4. Richard 'Groove' Holmes - Ain't It Funky Now
[2:46] 5. Jimmy McGriff - River's Invitation
[3:19] 6. Jimmy McGriff - Love Ain't Nothin' But A Business Goin' On
[5:15] 7. Jimmy McGriff - Night Glider
[3:30] 8. Jimmy McGriff - Fly Jack
[5:19] 9. Junior Parker - You've Got It Bad
[3:42] 10. Junior Parker - Red Onion

"The Troubadours" are not actually a group, but these are three groovemeisters who made important individual contributions to the soul-jazz and R&B-blues movements. The four Jimmy McGriff and four Richard "Groove" Holmes' organ combo numbers are good but far from essential tracks in their careers. Two Junior Parker numbers are the same. It's hard to understand the concept behind the release of Troubadours of Groove, as many other recordings yield better music and more vital sessions than these. It's not a bad party record though, one time through. ~Michael G. Nastos

Troubadours Of Groove

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Various Artists - Blue Note Plays Burt Bacharach

Styles:  Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:37
Size: 121,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:16)  1. The Jazz Crusaders - Promises, Promises
(5:57)  2. Stanley Turrentine - Walk On By
(3:41)  3. Lou Rawls - Any Day Now
(3:57)  4. Richard "Groove" Holmes - Do You Know The Way To San Jose?
(6:46)  5. Grant Green - I'll Never Fall in Love Again
(2:01)  6. Nancy Wilson - Wives And Lovers
(2:31)  7. Three Sounds - The Look Of Love
(4:29)  8. Stanley Jordan - One Less Bell To Answer
(6:43)  9. Stanley Turrentine - What the World Needs Now Is Love
(3:44) 10. Earl Klugh - The April Fools
(3:04) 11. Nancy Wilson - Alfie
(4:23) 12. Ernie Watts - Knowing When to Leave

Unfortunately, the 2004 issue of Blue Note Plays Bacharach falls short of the similar (now deleted) compilation from 1999, Blue Bacharach: A Cooler Shaker, also on Blue Note. Usually when a compilation disc is reissued, songs are added to the original program rather than omitted, which isn't the case in this instance. While Blue Bacharach originally had 14 tracks, this version has been whittled down to 12 tracks, nine of which are repeats. The three newly added songs, "The April Fools" by Earl Klugh, "One Less Bell to Answer" by Stanley Jordan, and "Any Day Now" by Lou Rawls, were recorded in 1976, 1986, and 1990, respectively, undermining the overall continuity of the '60s-based arrangements. Still, it's nice to have Bacharach standards played in a lively soul-jazz groove by Stanley Turrentine, Grant Green, Richard "Groove" Holmes, and Reuben Wilson, along with Nancy Wilson's outstanding vocals on "Wives and Lovers" and "Alfie." Blue Note Plays Bacharach is a passable compilation, but keep your eyes open for a used copy of the superior Blue Bacharach: A Cooler Shaker. ~ Al Campbell  http://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-note-plays-burt-bacharach-mw0000697637

Personnel: Nancy Jo Wilson , Lou Rawls (vocals); Cornell Dupree, Dennis Budimir, Grant Green, John Michael Gray (guitar); Earl Klugh (acoustic guitar); Ernie Watts (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Bobby Ray Watson, Frank Strozier, James Spaulding, Anthony Ortega (alto saxophone); Wilton Felder (tenor saxophone, electric bass); Eddie Harris, Plas Johnson , Rick Margitza, Stanley Turrentine (tenor saxophone); Bill Green , Howard Johnson , Richard Aplanalp, Pepper Adams (baritone saxophone); Larry McGuire, Herbert Anderson, Freddie Hill, Jack Walrath, Jerry Rusch, Blue Mitchell, Buddy Childers (trumpet); William Peterson (electric trumpet); Peter Myers, Lou Blackburn, Steve Turre, Wayne Henderson , Billy Byers, Frank Strong (trombone); Michael Wimberly, Ernie Tack (bass trombone); Richard Tee (piano, organ); Gene Harris, Clarence MacDonald, Joe Sample, Lou Levy, McCoy Tyner (piano); Richard "Groove" Holmes, Emanuel Riggins (organ); Eluriel Tinker Barfield, Jimmy Lewis (electric bass); Chris Parker , Donald Bailey , Idris Muhammad, Mickey Roker, Paul Humphrey & the Cool Aid Chemists , Roberto Marín, Stix Hooper, Kenny Dennis (drums); Ken Watson, Candido Camero (congas); Richard Landrum (bongos); Milt Holland (percussion).

VA - Blue Note Plays Burt Bacharach

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Richard 'Groove' Holmes - Soul Message

Styles: Soul Jazz
Year: 1965
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:18
Size: 78,8 MB
Art: Front

(7:03)  1. Groove's Groove
(5:38)  2. Daahoud
(6:00)  3. Misty
(6:04)  4. Song For My Father
(6:03)  5. The Things We Did Last Summer
(3:27)  6. Soul Message

The Hammond B-3 organ, even more than the Fender Rhodes electric piano, simply refuses to surrender to the proponents of digital synthesis, be they manufacturers of keyboards or aging keyboardists looking for less strenuous gigs. The instrument continues to exert a universal appeal, offering a soul-stirring Sunday-morning message at a time and place that suits Saturday-night sinners. All the more reason this RVG edition of Soul Message, a popular recording by one of the instrument's more effective evangelists, is likely to be warmly received among converts and backsliders alike. In retrospect, the sensation Jimmy Smith created with his up-tempo, head-spinning recording of Dizzy Gillespie's "The Champ" [The Champ (Blue Note, 1956)] was probably disproportionate to the accomplishment of the performance itself. Primarily, the "incredible" one (as he was thereafter billed) made it acceptable to bring the churchy behemoth into sinful dens and, as a bonus for playing challenging bebop, was allowed to retain preaching privileges as well.

Richard "Groove Holmes deftly toes the line between serious jazz and soul/pop worlds on this 1965 recording, which seems targeted at a mainstream audience not in the mood for either teaching or preaching. The familiar songs are given a slight face-lift (Holmes' up-tempo treatment of Erroll Garner's "Misty" became a hit single), while a less familiar tune like Clifford Brown's "Dahoud" settles into such an easy, emphatic groove that even a first-time listener could mistake it for a comfortable old slipper. It was a sweet strategy for Holmes at the time, though the session barely challenges the talented organist to show his wares. This remaster is likely to appeal above all to those who remember the original recording or to listeners in search of the soundscape that only a Hammond B3 plus Leslie speakers can create. The highlight is the opening blues, "Groove's Groove," an infectious two-beat toe-tapper that heats up into a walking 4/4 swinger, after which the session kind of simmers down.On the opener Holmes demonstrates the many uses of a plain F7 chord, staying with those four notes for the better part of several choruses. It's a simple device holding one note for an entire chorus, then adding the fifth, next the seventh, finally using the Leslie to disrupt the still surface with a wave pattern before returning the unwieldy vessel to the becalming decadence of swamp water.

The trick is to sense (and avoid) the tipping point at which repetition becomes boredom and sustained tension becomes irritation. Holmes plays not only his instrument but the average listener to perfection with ample assistance from the soiled, slightly distorted sound of Gene Edwards' gritty guitar, not to mention the organist's own potent, virile bass lines, which are given a big sonic boost on this latest remaster. Jimmie Smith (the drummer) completes the trio with remarkably restrained, tasteful and supportive accompaniment. In short, Soul Message doesn't offer the kind of preaching that saves souls, but for listeners unmoved by smooth jazz, it provides a soul-soothing alternative.~ Samuel Chell http://www.allaboutjazz.com/soul-message-richard-groove-holmes-prestige-records-review-by-samuel-chell.php

Personnel: Richard "Groove" Holmes: organ; Gene Edwards: guitar; Jimmie Smith: drums.

Soul Message

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Richard 'Groove' Holmes - Comin' On Home

Styles: Soul Jazz, Jazz Funk
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:35
Size: 81,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:09)  1. Groovin' For Mr. G
(3:34)  2. Theme From "Love Story"
(5:00)  3. Mr. Clean
(5:17)  4. Down Home Funk
(6:42)  5. Don't Mess With Me
(5:45)  6. Wave
(5:04)  7. This Here

Revered in soul-jazz circles, Richard "Groove" Holmes was an unapologetically swinging Jimmy Smith admirer who could effortlessly move from the grittiest of blues to the most sentimental of ballads. Holmes, a very accessible, straightforward and warm player who was especially popular in the black community, had been well respected on the Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey circuit by the time he signed with Pacific Jazz in the early '60s and started receiving national attention by recording with such greats as Ben Webster and Gene Ammons. Holmes, best known for his hit 1965 version of "Misty," engaged in some inspired organ battles with Jimmy McGriff in the early '70s before turning to electric keyboards and fusion-ish material a few years later. The organ was Holmes' priority in the mid- to late '80s, when he recorded for Muse (he also had stints throughout his career with Prestige Records and Groove Merchant) . Holmes was still delivering high-quality soul-jazz for Muse (often featuring tenor titan Houston Person) when a heart attack claimed his life at the age of 60 in 1991 after a long struggle with prostrate cancer. He was a musician to the end, playing his last shows in a wheelchair. ~ Alex Henderson & Steve Leggett https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/richard-groove-holmes/id65745449#fullText

Personnel:  Bass [Electric] – Jerry Jemmott;  Congas – Ray Armando;  Drums – Darryh Washington;  Electric Piano – Weldon Irvine;  Guitar – Gerald Hubbard;  Organ – Richard Groove Holmes

Comin' On Home

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Willis Jackson, Richard 'Groove' Holmes - Live On Stage

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 67:45

Size: 155.1 MB

Styles: Jump blues, Bop, Saxophone jazz

Year: 2003/2008

Art: Front

[ 7:43] 1. Ya Understand Me

[ 6:34] 2. Body And Soul

[ 9:10] 3. More

[12:08] 4. Satin Doll

[ 6:25] 5. My One And Only Love

[ 8:58] 6. The Head Tune

[ 8:09] 7. The Man I Love

[ 8:33] 8. Bar Wars

Willis Gator”Jackson (ts), Richard Groove Holmes (org), Steve Giordano (g), Roger Lee Humphrey (d). Recorded Live on January 26, 1980 in Château Neuf du Pape, France.

As the sixties drew to a close, Jean-Marie Monestier and Jean-Pierre Tahmazian discovered the whereabouts of the last living classical jazz musicians. They decided to bring them to France, out of the anonymity into which forgetfulness had plunged them. With the applause of the concert audience still ringing in their ears, these musicians then recorded some of their most beautiful music for Black & Blue. Jean-Michel Proust and Jean-Marc Fritz who were aware of their historical value, listened to these treasures. The result was “The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions: Live On Stage”.

Live On Stage  

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