Jazz Articles about Larry Young

Larry Young: Unity – 1965 – The Missing Link

by Marc Davis
September 2, 2015

In high school and college in the 1970s, I was a huge fan of progressive rock, especially Yes and Emerson Lake & Palmer. As a pianist myself, I was floored by Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson. How did they do that? Fast, creative, loud, part-rock, part-jazz, part-classical. Wow. My obsession with Moog synthesizers led me to classical music through the back door. ELP led to Switched On Bach, which led to, well, real Bach. Later, the same impulse ...

Larry Young: Into Somethin'

by Greg Simmons
January 5, 2013

Organist Larry Young's Into Somethin' is full of relaxed grooves, great melodies and strong performances from tenor saxophonist Sam Rivers and 1960s stalwarts Elvin Jones (drums) and Grant Green (guitar). Originally released in 1964, this record has been remastered and released on 45 RPM vinyl by Ron Rambach at Music Matters. Soul Jazz? Groove Jazz? Whatever. It's good jazz and that's what matters. On the opening “Tyrone," Young plays deep blues at a straightforward, un-showy pace that gets ...

Larry Young: Unity

by Greg Simmons
January 9, 2012

Larry Young's best known record, Unity (Blue Note, 1966), addresses the Hammond B3's more challenging sonic tendencies first by good management of the instrument--blending volumes and stops to add subtlety and variation to the electrified sound--and then by adding some of the best sidemen available. Now reissued by Music Matters on 45 RPM vinyl, the record reveals more about the recording than has likely been heard on previous issues. Remastered from the original session tapes, Music Matters strives ...

Larry Young: Of Love and Peace

by Eddie Becton
December 25, 2004

Organist Larry Young's Of Love and Peace was initially recorded in '66. The title was perhaps Young's echo for calm during the turbulent '60s. Blue Note's reissue of this gem is just as likely to resonate today, particularly during the current climate of political pugilism in America. Of Love and Peace contains only four tracks, but each tells a unique story. For example, “Pavanne" is a mid-tempo piece that highlights band's collective talent and individual acumen. A wonderful introductory piece, ...

Larry Young: Of Love and Peace

by John Kelman
December 5, 2004

Eight scant months after his classic Unity (Blue Note, '65), organist Larry Young was back in the studio with a larger ensemble and a bolder concept. The title Of Love and Peace may stand in direct contrast to the music within; there may be plenty of love, but on this cacophonous album of barely-controlled chaos, there's precious little peace.

Augmenting the front line of trumpeter Eddie Gale, alto saxophonist/flautist James Spaulding and tenor saxophonist Herbert Morgan, Young opts for a ...

Larry Young: Mother Ship

by Germein Linares
January 19, 2004

Jazz fans be warned: Larry Young's Mother Ship has arrived. Recorded in 1969, this wonderfully funky craft enjoys its first CD release on Blue Note. Manning the controls are Young on organ, Lee Morgan on trumpet, Herbert Morgan on tenor sax, and Eddie Gladden on drums.

Though Herbert Morgan and Gladden never became instantly identifiable jazz figures, their performances here are worthy of everyone's attention. The entire band's output on the album hovers between post bop and the avant-garde, with ...