LOU DONALDSON - Mr. Shing-A-Ling (1967-2006) RM | Blue Note 決定盤1500 - 282 | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Lou Donaldson does attempt to loosen up a bit with Mr. Shing-A-Ling, but the whole affair is a bit stilted and misconceived. Not quite the full-fledged electric funk workout that was becoming commonplace for old-guard soul-jazz musicians in the late '60s, but not quite the bop-inflected soul-jazz of the early '60s. either, Mr. Shing-A-Ling falls into a netherworld that won't connect either with jazz purists or fans of grooving jazz-funk. When the group does try to get funky on the record, the results just sound lazy -- there's no spark to the rhythms, or to Donaldson's melody lines, especially on the embarrassing cover of the pop hit "Ode to Billie Joe." When the quintet settles into a midtempo vamp, Donaldson, trumpeter Blue Mitchell, and organist Lonnie Smith do spin out some good solos, but the lack of energy and enthusiasm the group has for the material makes Mr. Shing-A-Ling a bit of a tiring listen. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1     Ode to Billie Joe 6'33
Bobbie Gentry    
2     The Humpback 5:28
Lou Donaldson    
3     The Shadow of Your Smile 6:26
Johnny Mandel / Paul Francis Webster    
4     Peepin' 8:21
Lonnie O. Smith    
5     The Kid 11:00
Harold Ousley
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Drums – Leo Morris
Guitar – Jimmy "Fats" Ponder
Organ – Lonnie Smith
Trumpet – Blue Mitchell