By the time
John Patton
recorded
Along Came John
, his debut as a leader, he had already become a familiar name around the
Blue Note
studios. He, guitarist
Grant Green
, and drummer
Ben Dixon
had become the label's regular soul-jazz rhythm section, playing on sessions by
Lou Donaldson
,
Don Wilkerson
, and
Harold Vick
, among others. They had developed an intuitive, empathetic interplay that elevated many of their sessions to near-greatness, at least in the realm of soul-jazz. That's one of the reasons why
is so successful -- the three know each other so well that their grooves are totally natural, which makes them quite appealing. These original compositions may not all be memorable, but the band's interaction, improvisation, and solos are. Tenor saxophonists
Fred Jackson
and
provide good support, as well, but the show belongs to
Patton
Green
Dixon
, who once again prove they are one of the finest soul-jazz combos of their era. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine