WILLIS JACKSON WITH PAT MRTINO — Single Action (1978-1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Willis Jackson was a tough-toned tenor who came to fame as a honker and screamer with Cootie Williams's big band in the late '40s. Although he calmed down his style a bit through the years, he always has a passionate sound and an accessible style best heard on blues, ballads and standards. This is a CD reissue of a 1978 session that features Jackson with guitarist Pat Martino, organist Carl Wilson and a supportive rhythm section. Although the Barbara Streisand-associated "Evergreen" (heard in two versions) and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" may not seem like the best material for the tenor, he uplifts the songs. But best are a pair of hard-driving blues and a warm rendition of "Makin' Whoopee." Joe Fields accurately states in the liner notes that Willis Jackson's best recording was his prior Muse release Bar Wars but Single Action does give one a good example of Jackson playing in a tenor style that (other than Houston Person and now Joshua Redman) is quickly disappearing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Evergreen    4:44
 Barbra Streisand / Paul Williams
2    Bolita    8:12
 Willis "Gator" Jackson
3    Makin' Whoopee    6:59
 Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
4    You Are The Sunshine Of My Life    7:43
 Stevie Wonder
5    Hittin' The Numbers    5:01
 Willis "Gator" Jackson
6    Single Action    6:17
 Willis "Gator" Jackson
7    Evergreen (Alternate Take)    4:41
 Barbra Streisand / Paul Williams
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Lewis
Drums – Yusef Ali
Engineer – Rudy van Gelder
Guitar – Pat Martino
Organ – Carl Wilson
Percussion – Ralph Dorsey
Tenor Saxophone – Willis Jackson

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)