Benny Golson Quintet: That's Funky (2000)

Matt Robinson

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Published: January 22, 2003

Looking back past the rule of Parliament to the age of Horace Silver, Benny Golson’s That's Funky pays tribute to Louis Armstrong through two renditions of his popular favorite "Mack the Knife." While the opening "funky version" starts off a bit sluggish and includes some pinched soloing by Nat Adderley, Monty Alexander’s firm comps make it swing and Golson’s smooth lines give it at least three pennies worth of class. On the "modern bebop version," Adderley’s lines are much more reminiscent of Satchmo’s muted melodies. Tributes to Golson’s Jazz Messenger cohorts include a punchy cover of Lee Morgan’s "Sidewinder" and an island-tinged take on Bobby Timmons’s "Moanin’." Adderly’s "Groovy Thing"-inspiring "Work Song" is a groove-y workout for the horns backed by Ray Drummond’s prowling bass and Marvin "Smitty" Smith’s rumbling fills.

Though Golson brings some aging grace notes to the mix, he also contributes two of the album’s high points. Based on Alexander’s honky-tonk piano and Drummond’s soul-stirring bass over Smith’s steady four-count, "Mississippi Windows" combines sweet gospel with the bluesy moans of Golson and Adderley; while "Blues March" uses Smith’s Art Blakey-inspired rolls as syncopated springboards for sharp, weasel-popping horn formations.

Track Listing: 1. Mack the Knife [Funky Version] 2. Moanin' 3. Sidewinder 4. Mississippi Windows 5. Work Song 6. Mortat [Modern Bebop Version] 7. Blues March

Record Label: Arkadia Jazz
Style: Funk/Groove