JACK MCDUFF
The Concert McDuff (Prestige)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Brother Jack McDuff knew how to play funky organ, and on the Concert McDuff he testified from his very soul. Compiled from various concerts during 1963, 1964, and 1965, McDuff alternately caressed, cajoled and coerced his Hammond B-3 into some great music. Joined by a great band of Red Holloway on tenor saxophone, a young George Benson on guitar (Pat Martino replaced Benson on one song), and Joe Dukes on drums, McDuff served up some nasty, grooved-filled soul and blues-inflected jazz that compelled one's feet to move to the beat. The results were, as they say, bodacious. This absorbing recording has a plethora of hot solos that generated considerable excitement from the members of the live audience. McDuff and his band mates were scorching hot on such numbers as "Love Walked In," "Swedenin'," "'Sokay," "Save Your Love For Me," and "Four Brothers." The Concert McDuff is superbly crafted soul-jazz full of original and imaginative music. Let this recording grab your musical soul, get off of that chair, and begin witnessing along with Brother Jack. Blessed are those who truly hear.

© 2002 - Ron Saranich