LOU DONALDSON - Say It Loud ! (1969-2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The title of Say It Loud! is taken from James Brown's anthem "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud," the R&B/funk classic that Lou Donaldson covers on this album. Instead of providing a thematic and musical touchstone for the rest of the record, the song is an attempt to prove that Donaldson is still on top of musical trends, but the lazy groove he and his band -- trumpeter Blue Mitchell, guitarist Jimmy Ponder, organist Charles Earland, drummer Leo Morris -- work up shows they're not quite comfortable with this contemporary funk. They sound much more at ease with standards like "Summertime" and "Caravan," which give them a chance to stretch out, even if they are arranged like commercially oriented soul-jazz. Nevertheless, their simple presence on the album puts the stiffness of Donaldson's groove-oriented soul-jazz in sharper relief. Midnight Creeper was a successful soul-jazz record because the group managed to hit the right tone and groove, but here his group sounds awkward and uneasy. There are a few good moments scattered throughout the album, particularly by Mitchell, but overall, Say It Loud! is one of the weakest records in Donaldson's catalog. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1     Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud) 7:32
James Brown / Pee Wee Ellis    
2     Summertime 5:49
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward    
3     Caravan 5:22
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Juan Tizol    
4     Snake Bone 9:31
Lou Donaldson    
5     Brother Soul 8:17
Lou Donaldson / Leon Spencer
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Drums – Leo Morris
Guitar – Jimmy Ponder
Organ – Charles Earland
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Trumpet – Blue Mitchell

LOU DONALDSON - Hot Dog (1969-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A wildly erratic slice of funky soul-jazz in keeping with Lou Donaldson's late-'60s commercial accessibility, Hot Dog isn't a total washout, but it's just as hit-and-miss as many of Donaldson's albums from the era (even if you are a fan of the style). The main sticking points are the contemporary R&B covers that open and close the album. "Who's Making Love" has an out-of-tune group vocal that fails to be charming in its amateurishness, and the funk of "It's Your Thing" sounds leaden and lifeless despite the best efforts of breakbeat legend Leo Morris (later Idris Muhammad) on drums. Take those away and Hot Dog would be a fairly decent effort. Also featuring guitarist Melvin Sparks, organist Charles Earland, and trumpeter Ed Williams, the ensemble really catches fire on "Turtle Walk," a Donaldson original where the groove sounds natural and helps push the soloists. The Donaldson-penned title cut also gets pretty funky, though the underlying vamp is a little insubstantial to stretch out over ten minutes. The Tommy Turrentine ballad "Bonnie" returns Donaldson to the sweet, romantic territory he's mined so well over the years. So Hot Dog does have some worthwhile moments; it's just a pity the overall finished product isn't more consistent -- the cover photo is great. Steve Huey
Tracklist :
1     Who's Making Love? 6:46
Homer Banks / Bettye Crutcher / Don Davis / Raymond Jackson
2     Turtle Walk 7:56
Lou Donaldson    
3     Bonnie 4:56
Tommy Turrentine    
4     Hot Dog 10:45
Denny Dedmon / Lou Donaldson / Buck Owens    
5     It's Your Thing 8:59
O'Kelly Isley / Ronald Isley / Rudolph Isley
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Drums – Leo Morris
Guitar – Melvin Sparks
Organ – Charles Earland
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Trumpet – Ed Williams

LOU DONALDSON - Everything I Play Is Funky (1970-1995) Blue Note Rare Groove Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although purists might not find it as much to their taste as Midnight Creeper, Everything I Play Is Funky is easily one of the best examples of Lou Donaldson's commercially accessible period of the late '60s and early '70s. Donaldson's forays into funk and R&B-driven soul-jazz could sometimes sound stiff, but the grooves here -- which feature many of the same players -- are consistently limber and unforced. And, typical of the style, the grooves (not adventurous improvisation) are what make the album tick. For once, Donaldson's attempt at an R&B cover -- in this case, the Lee Dorsey-sung, Allen Toussaint-penned "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)" -- is pulled off well enough to make for an entirely convincing statement of purpose. That number kicks off an entertaining program also highlighted by three Donaldson originals -- the cooking funk number "Donkey Walk," which seems to inspire the fieriest solos on the record, the cheery calypso "West Indian Daddy," and the hard bop-flavored "Minor Bash." There's also a version of "Over the Rainbow" done in Donaldson's caressing, melodic ballad style, and the simple funk vamp "Hamp's Hump." It's a nicely varied assortment, all anchored by the percolating rhythm section of guitarist Melvin Sparks, bassist Jimmy Lewis, and drummer Idris Muhammad (Charles Earland and Dr. Lonnie Smith switch off on organ, and Blue Mitchell and Eddie Williams do the same on trumpet). This is the sort of record that modern-day Donaldson disciples like the Sugarman Three cherish, and one of his few truly consistent efforts in this style. Recommended wholeheartedly to funk and rare-groove fans. Steve Huey
Tracklist :
1. Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On) 5'15
Allen Toussaint
2. Hamp's Hump 6'35
P. Hampton / Paul Hampton
3. Over The Rainbow 7'05
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
4. Donkey Walk 6'32
Lou Donaldson
5. West Indian Daddy 6'22
Lou Donaldson
6. Minor Bash 6'08
Lou Donaldson
Credits :
Lou Donaldson - Alto Saxophone
Blue Mitchell - Trumpet (tracks 1-3, 6)
Eddie Williams - Trumpet (tracks 4,5)
Idris Muhammad - Drums
Melvin Sparks - Guitar
Jimmy Lewis - Bass Guitar
Charles Earland - Organ (tracks 4,5)
Lonnie Smith - Organ (tracka 1-3, 6)