CHARLES KYNARD
The Soul Brotherhood (Prestige)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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The Soul Brotherhood is one of those wonderful twofers that Prestige periodically issues. This was released about a month ago, and contains two 1969 dates by Charles Kynard, originally titled The Soul Brotherhood and Reelin' With The Feelin'. On the first session, Kynard was joined by some well known names - Blue Mitchell on trumpet, David "Fathead" Newman on tenor saxophone, Grant Green on guitar, Jimmy Lewis on bass, and Mickey Roker on drums. For the other, Kynard's band mates included Wilton Felder on tenor, Joe Pass on guitar, Carol Kaye on bass, and Paul Humphrey on drums.

The majority of the music on this disc is in the Soul Jazz vein, combining a strong gospel feeling with repetitive riffs usually based on the blues. In addition, as the recordings were from 1969, the listener can also hear rock influences. Kynard, the leader, played a mean, funky organ, and once into the music, he could lay down the soul grooves with the best, spewing highly danceable, exciting music. The infectious music inspired all the musicians to play in a relaxed, bluesy style just perfect for those feel-good moments that music always enhances.

My two favorite numbers are "Pieces Of Pisces," written by David Newman and containing scorching hot solos by all, and "Soul Reggae," written by Carol Kaye and based on a hypnotic beat that commandeered my feet and refused to let go till the last note sounded. The liner notes claim this song might be the first time an American song writer actually used the word "reggae" in a title.

Some might argue that the music on this disc is more "soul" than "jazz." Enough of the semantics. Music this danceable and soulful needs to be heard. The brotherhood has spoken.

© 2001 - Ron Saranich