Deep Blue Organ Trio: Folk Music

Since 1992, Deep Blue Organ Trio has been working tirelessly to keep the flames of classic organ jazz burning. They've held down a weekly gig at Chicago's Green Mill and have released two highly acclaimed discs for Delmark Records: Deep Blue Bruise (2004) and Goin' to Town: Live at the Green Mill (2006). On Folk Music, the trio's first release for Origin Records, guitarist Bobby Broom, drummer Greg Rockingham and organist Chris Foreman dig deep into the well of organ trio grease. Throughout the disc's nine tracks, the spirit of past B3 pioneers is strongly felt. The styles of Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, etc. are fused together seamlessly to create an electrifying, vibrant release.

The no-nonsense swinging session, a mixture of hard-bop staples, standards and R&B hits, is highlighted by "A Deeper Blue, with feel-good blues to get things warmed up; Foreman's soulful rendering of "I Thought About You, the Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Mercer standard; the relentless swing of the 1980 Stephanie Mills hit "Never Knew Love Like This Before, and the Lee Morgan classic "Ceora.

Broom is playing at the top of his game. The blistering guitarist turns in one soulful solo after another, managing to stretch the boundaries of tradition without ever losing sight of it. Rockingham, who spent a decade with organist Charles Earland, proves himself the consummate organ trio drummer. His rock-solid playing emphasizes impeccable groove and hip solo fills. Foreman, a true artisan of the Hammond B3 style, manipulates the full range of his instrument. His slow burn on Victor Feldman's "The Chant is appropriately down and dirty.

There isn't an ounce of pretension on Folk Music. Quite simply, it's a soulful good time. Keep it coming fellas.