The two
Jack McDuff
albums compiled here by
Ace
's
BGP
imprint feature
Brother Jack McDuff
in one of his hard-swinging primes with a terrific band, which is the same one on both records. Assembled aesthetically rather than chronologically, the first date here was issued in 1966 as
Prestige
7422. It's a studio offering that features the organist in the context of mostly original material, backed by his longstanding drummer
Joe Dukes
, saxophonist
Red Holloway
, and a young jazz guitarist named
George Benson
before he signed his first solo deal with
Columbia
. Of the
McDuff
tunes, the highlights include the silly yet grooving soul blues of the title track, the fingerpopping stroll of "601½ No. Poplar" -- an excellent showcase for
Benson
-- and the hard-bop closer "The Three Day Thang." The slow reading of "Cry Me a River" is hipper than most versions, to boot. The latter recording, cut in 1965, is a club gig with the same group. This is gritty and raw, but tight.
is more of a comping presence here, with
Holloway
matching
in solo time. With the exception of a workmanlike reading of the show tune "It Ain't Necessarily So," the rest of this cooks. Highlights here include the nasty
solo in "Rock Candy," the down-home, soul-gospel groove in "Sanctified Samba," and the absolutely ripping bop in "Undecided." Another treat is the cover of "Whistle While You Work" with
on flute. He and
deal out some sprightly but meaty improv.
Dukes
has always been an under-recognized drummer. If there is a star on either -- or both -- of these dates, it's him. His funky breaks, unerring pulse, and dancing sense of swing are unequaled in this format. This two-fer is certainly to be recommended for soul-jazz and organ fans. ~ Thom Jurek