Recorded
and mastered by the master himself, Rudy Van Gelder, Zim Zam
Zoom is the latest outing from B-3 groovemeister Levy, and the
first-ever acid blues record! Featuring Melvin Sparks on guitar
and Idris Muhammad on drums, this is a unique melding of blues
groove and jazz sensibility. Produced by Levy and legendary
jazz producer, Bob Porter. Ron Levy,
B-3 organ / Melvin Sparks, guitar / Idris Muhammad, drums /
Stanley Banks, bass / Ralph Dorsey, congas / Gordon Beadle,
tenor saxophone /Ray Greene, trombone
"If
you like blues and funky soul-jazz (with just a twist of the
future), this is an album to enjoy. Hammond B-3 artist Ron Levy
gathers some of the greatest groove players of all time for
this steam session, including Melvin Sparks on guitar and the
great Idris Muhammad on drums. Call it retro or acid-jazz if
you want, but groove lover Levy never stops playing that funky
soul-jazz long enough to look back. This album carries the groove
tradition on, maintaining that integrity. Those who look for
B-3 jams in the soul-jazz vein that are as funky as can be will
not be disappointed. This is a great CD to own."
-
Michael Erlewine (All Music Guide)
"One
of the sweetest sets ever cut by organist Ron Levy -- and a
record that's done very much in the mode of the older Prestige
soul jazz and jazz funk that first inspired his work! Of course,
that relation to Prestige is no surprise -- given that Ron's
working here with Melvin Sparks on guitar and Idris Muhammad
on drums -- who both help give the record a feel that's a lot
more classic than you might expect for the date. But the real
star of the set is Levy, whose clean, lean lines on the Hammond
B-3 recall the early genius of Charles Earland at its best!
Titles include "Zim Zam Zoom", "Lost Tribes",
"Sons Of Abraham", "Last Go Round", "Silver
Cannonball", and "Lonely Avenue".
-
DustyGroove newsletter
4
1/2 stars by Downbeat.
Listen
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