THE BIRTH OF SOUL JAZZ.
THE BIRTH OF SOUL JAZZ.
Ever since the birth of popular music, musical genres have fallen in and out of fashion. An example of this is soul jazz. Back in the nineties, soul jazz made something of a comeback. Soul jazz’s popularity was reflected by the number of compilations and reissues released during this period. Sadly, like life, fashions change. After a while, soul jazz’s popularity was surpassed by another musical genre. Since then, compilers have overlooked soul jazz. That is until 22nd April 2013, when The Birth of Soul Jazz is released by the Chrome Dreams label. For anyone yet to discover soul jazz, then this is the perfect introduction to an underrated musical genre with a rich musical heritage. Before I tell you about the music on The Birth of Soul Jazz, I’ll tell about the history of soul jazz.
It was during the late-fifties, that the musical genre that became known as soul jazz was born. Along with soul music, which during this period, was beginning to grow in popularity, soul jazz provided the soundtrack to the late fifties. Soul jazz evolved out of jazz, and the church and sometimes, is associated with hard bop. Although associated with hard bop, it’s quite different. It’s best described as a fusion of soul, jazz, blues, R&B, funk and gospel.
Often, soul jazz was played by small groups, lead by band leaders like Ray Charles, Art Blakey and Horace Silver. At the centre of the sound was a Hammond organ, accompanied by double bass, drums, guitar and sometimes, saxophone. The best way to describe soul jazz is melodic, bluesy, earthy and dance-floor friendly. Proof of this are soul jazz classics like Lee Morgan’s The Sidewinder, Horace Silver’s Song For My Father and Herbie Hancock’s The Cantaloupe. Among soul jazz’s biggest names are Jack McDuff, Richard Groove Holmes, Grant Green, Stanley Turrentine, Shirley Scott, Lou Donaldson, Ray Charles and Art Blakey. All of these soul jazz legends feature on the two discs that comprise The Birth of Soul Jazz.
DISC ONE.
For anyone yet to discover soul jazz, the ten tracks on Disc One of The Birth of Soul Jazz, are the perfect introduction. After all, there’s tracks from Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver, Cannonball Adderley Quintet, Hank Mobley, Lou Donaldson and Jimmy Smith. There’s also contributions from Don Wilkerson, David Fathead Newman, Hank Crawford and Les McCann. The ten tracks on Disc One of The Birth of Soul Jazz will lead you on a musical journey through some of classic soul jazz albums. So, in many ways, the music on Disc One of The Birth of Soul Jazz is a voyage of musical discovery, one that will last a lifetime. To help you begin this journey, I’ll pick my highlights of Disc One of The Birth of Soul Jazz.
My first choice from Disc One of The Birth of Soul Jazz is Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers’ Moanin.’ It was released as a single in 1958 on Blue Note Records. Moanin’ was the title-track to Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers’ classic album. Quite simply, this isn’t just a soul jazz classic, but an emotive and timeless jazz classic. For anyone new to the music of Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, then albums like Moanin’ and Night In Tunisia are the perfect starting points.
Just like Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver was a veteran of Blue Note Records. Horace enjoyed a long and successful period at Blue Note, where he released some of the best music of his career. In 1959, The Horace Silver Quintet released the single Sister Sadie. Written by Horace Silver, this was a track from their 1959 album Blowin’ The Blues Away. This was just the start of a period where The Horace Silver Quintet released a string of critically acclaimed albums. Among their best are 1960s Horace-Scope, 1962s The Tokyo Blues and 1963s Silver’s Serenade. Along with Blowin’ The Blues Away, this quartet of albums will act as an introduction to a true jazz legend.
One album that’s a true soul jazz classic is The Cannonball Adderley Quintet In San Francisco. Billed as The Cannonball Adderley Quintet featuring Nat Adderley, it’s amust have for anyone whose a fan of soul jazz. Released in 1959, on Blue Note Records, The Cannonball Adderley Quintet In San Francisco opens with This Here. It’s penned by Bobby Timmons and is the first stop on a musical journey that defines just what soul jazz is all about.
If you were compiling a list of classic soul jazz albums, Hank Mobley’s Soul Station would be on it. Released in 1960 on Blue Note Records, Hank’s accompanied by drummer Art Blakey and bassist Paul Chambers. One of the highlights is the title-track Soul Station, where Hank delivers a masterclass on tenor saxophone. While Soul Station is a soul jazz classic, I’d also recommend 1963s No Room For Squares and 1965s Dippin.’ Both are the perfect introduction to Hank Mobley.
It seems fitting that my fiinal choice from Disc One of The Birth of Soul Jazz is a track by Jimmy Smith is one of the greatest Hammond organ players not just in soul jazz, but jazz music per se. Proof of this is House Party, his 1958 single. House Party was the title-track of his 1958 album. It features an all-star lineup, including drummer Art Blakey, guitarist Kenny Burrell, alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson and trumpeter Lee Morgan. Good as House Party is, there are many other albums that are far better. Among them, are 1959s The Sermon, 1960s Home Cookin’ and 1963s Back At The Chicken Shack.
Although I’ve only picked five of the ten tracks on Disc One of The Birth of Soul Jazz, there’s also tracks from Lou Donaldson, Don Wilkerson, David Fathead Newman, Hank Crawford and Les McCann. It’s quality all the way. There aren’t any poor tracks, just some classy soul jazz, that are a reminder of another musical era. For me, these ten tracks are a perfect introduction to soul jazz. Many of the artists on Disc One are among the biggest names in soul jazz. Will the quality of music continue on Disc One of The Birth of Soul Jazz.
DISC TWO.
While Disc One of The Birth of Soul Jazz only featured ten tracks, Disc Two features thirteen tracks. The big names keep on coming. Herbie Hancock, Shirley Scott, The Ramsey Lewis Trio, Jack McDuff, Grant Green, Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy McGriff and Richard Groove Holmes. Then there’s contributions from Bobby Timmons and Ike Quebec. Truly, Disc Two of The Birth of Soul Jazz is like a who’s who of soul jazz. You’ll realize that when I pick the highlights of Disc Two of The Birth of Soul Jazz.
Herbie Hancock’s Watermelon Man is my first choice from Disc Two of The Birth of Soul Jazz. Watermelon Man is a track from Herbie’s 1962 debut album Takin’ Off. It was released on Blue Note Records, and marked the debut of a true jazz innovator. Written by Herbie, and Watermelon Man featured tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon and trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. Along with Herbie, play their part in what is one of of the highlights of The Birth of Soul Jazz. For newcomers to Herbie’s music, I’d also recommend 1965s Maiden Voyage and 1968s Speak Like A Child.
Brother Jack was the title-track to Brother Jack McDuff with Bill Jennings’ 1960 album. Released on Prestige, Jack was accompanied by guitarist Bill Jennings, drummer Alvin Johnson and bassist Wendell Marshall. Among the highlights to Brother Jack are Brother Jack, which features on Disc Two of The Birth of Soul Jazz. Along with Organ Grinders Swing, these two tracks feature this quartet at the peak of the powers.
Grant Green, like Jimmy Smith, produced the best music of his career at Blue Note Records. Saturday Morning was one of four albums Grant released in 1961. It was recorded on 4th June 1961 and featured some flawless guitar playing from Grant. He’s at his best on Freedom March, God Bless The Child and Saturday Morning, which features on Disc Two of The Birth of Soul Jazz. For newcomers to Grant Green’s music, you’ve so much great music to discover. A good place to start are 1961s Green Street and Grandstand, plus 1965s Street Of Green.
When it comes to tenor saxophonists, Stanley Turrentine is one of the finest in the history of jazz. He too, released the best music of his career at Blue Note Records. His Blue Note debut was Look Out! which featured Little Sheri. This eight minute epic, features Stanley and his band kicking loose and creating a peerless slice of soul jazz. For anyone looking to discover Stanley Turrentine’s music, then 1964s Hustlin’ and 1966s Rough ‘N’ Tumble are unmissable.
Jimmy McGriff’s I’ve Got A Woman is my final choice from Disc Two of The Birth of Soul Jazz. I’ve Got A Woman was released as a single in 1962, on Sue Records. It’s also the title-track from Jimmy’s 1962 debut album. It’s no exaggeration to refer to I’ve Got A Woman as a soul jazz classic. Indeed, so good is this track, that it’s one of the highlights of f The Birth of Soul Jazz.
Having wondered whether the quality of music would continue on Disc Two of The Birth of Soul Jazz, I needn’t have worried. With contributions from soul jazz legends like Brother Jack McDuff, Grant Green, Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy McGriff, Richard “Groove” Holmes and Shirley Scott it’s like a role call of soul jazz greats. Just like Disc One, Disc Two will act as a starting point for anyone interested in soul jazz. As I said earlier, this is just the start of a long and hugely enjoyable musical journey.
After savoring the delights of The Birth of Soul Jazz, you can investigate the albums that each of these tracks are from. From there, you’ll find yourself investigating each of the artists’ back-catalogue. Then you’ll find yourself investigating each of the artists that played on each albums. It’s not unlike embarking on a musical journey, where there are many twists and turns on the road. You’ll discover some incredible music, not just from the giants of soul jazz, but from some of the lesser known names. The incredible thing is, that this journey started when you bought one compilation. That’s happened to many people. It’s hugely enjoyable and often, prohibitively expensive. Maybe if you decide to disc The Birth of Soul Jazz, which will be released on the Chrome Dreams label on 22nd April 2013, then you’ll embark upon this musical journey? Standout Tracks: Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers Moanin,’ Hank Mobley Soul Station, Herbie Hancock Watermelon Man and Jimmy McGriff I’ve Got A Woman.
THE BIRTH OF SOUL JAZZ.
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