Jared Gold: Golden Child

Jazz organist Jared Gold continues to make his presence known, both in name and sonically. Energizing and free yet possessed of a comprehensive knowledge of the Hammond B3 organ, he communicates with the language of giants such as Don Patterson and Chris Foreman of the Deep Blue Organ Trio. It's been said that "either you have it or you don't," and Gold's playing bears the truth of the groove on Golden Child. On his fifth recording as a leader, Gold delivers some insightful numbers. "I Wanna Walk"—a fine remake of the traditional "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me"—speaks volumes.

While the origins of the song are unclear, Gold's trio takes the tone straight out of the black church, complete with Sunday morning baptismal fire. Its mid-tempo cadence is steady and works without breaking a sweat as Ed Cherry's guitar pours out soulful riffs and Quincy Davis' kit percolates the beat. Gold is also feeling the heat, his Hammond grinding into the bone marrow, pedals dropping a funky bass line and raspy keys singing notes that soar to the heavens. "I Wanna Walk" has a reverse sentiment to Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues," whose famous lyrics include "makes me wanna holler and throw up both my hands." Gold's B3 shouts are joyful.