Tony Monaco Trio: Over and Over

B-3. The organ model resonates with jazz fans as something musically profound which fundamentally hits in the soul. Perhaps it is the Gospel and church roots or the list of greats in the jazz organ pantheon—Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Shirley Scott, et al. Now that Joey DeFrancesco has left us, there is a handful of great jazz B-3 organists still pumping jazz air—Mike LeDonne, for one, and Tony Monaco. With Over and Over, the Columbus, Ohio-based Monaco, demonstrates that he is still a stone cooker. And, with seven original tracks on this album, his playing and compositional skills continue to inspire and impress.

"Da Daddy" is the rocking opener. It is a funky earworm, played over chord changes from Stanley Turrentine's hip, but, much less intense, "Sugar." With Zakk Jones' guitar and Reggie Jackson's drums, Monaco stretches out in a biting solo before Jones takes his own ride. "One for Pat Martino," with whom Monaco played for three years, is a throwback straight-ahead, call-and-response blues which features Jones letting things fly before Monaco. The intensity builds to a climax with Monaco all over his axe, and Jones and Jackson simultaneously soaring.

"Lil Rosie Girl" is a tasty bossa groove with an easy-to-remember melodic line and an arpeggiated guitar lick. Jones renders an exceptionally lyrical solo, but not before slyly sticking in "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Nancy with the Laughing Face" quotes. The title track is a tasty blue-eyed soul groover over a rock bed. Catch Monaco's ace comping behind Jones' lyrical solo and Jackson's solid pocket. Jackson delivers an energetic solo on the fadeout.

As a composer, Monaco demonstrates that he can offer melodies which grab and his charts offer platforms for extended solos. His interaction with his trio mates is excellent. Jackson's drumming and Jones guitar are perfect playmates for the B-3 leader.

"Ready, Set, Go" is a hot riff burner with classic Hard Bop overtones which has Monaco's pin-pointed right-hand style cooking. Both Jackson and Jones play intense solos here. "Sailboat" presents a tasty bossa with echoes of Walter Wanderley's take. "Uprooted" is the closer offering a tight James Brown groove which builds to white-hot intensity. Over and Over is a fun album which impresses and cooks. The dessert is in the replays.

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