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Mike LeDonne: The Groover
ByWith LeDonne scorching the Hammond B3, Alexander adding heat to the proceedings at every turn and Bernstein and Farnsworth stoking the boiler room, this is an album that grooves emphatically from the outsetthe sort of session that surely would have caused Earland to grin from ear to ear. Flag-wavers are among the staples of such narratives, and here we have two, both written by LeDonne"Blues for McCoy (Tyner)" and "Bopsolete." To say they cook up a storm would be an understatement, but no more so than to argue that, say, "Rock with You," "Sunday in New York," "The Groover" or "On the Street Where You Live" are less impassioned in their own way.
All is not fire and brimstone, however, as the quartet slackens the pace and lowers the temperature on LeDonne's "Deep Blue" and Benny Golson's "Little Mary," the last written for LeDonne's daughter, who has Prader-Willie Syndrome, a relatively uncommon genetic disorder that affects one's metabolism and growth. LeDonne proves to be as fluent and resourceful on the organ as he is at the piano, while Alexander underscoresas though he had towhy he is one of the more captivating and creative tenor soloists on the scene today. Bernstein and Farnsworth have their moments too, and make the most of them with phrases that invariably command one's awareness and esteem.
By bringing into play the Hammond B3, LeDonne has nimbly laid bare a relatively uncharted aspect of his musical persona, and it's one that is sure to please. Long may he groove.
Track Listing
Rock with You; Blues for McCoy; Little Mary; I'm Gonna Make You Love Me; Deep Blue; Sunday in New York; Bopsolete; The Groover; On the Street Where You Live.
Personnel
Mike LeDonne
organ, Hammond B3Mike LeDonne: Hammond B-3 organ; Eric Alexander: tenor sax; Peter Bernstein: guitar; Joe Farnsworth: drums.
Album information
Title: The Groover | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Savant Records
Comments
About Mike LeDonne
Instrument: Organ, Hammond B3
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