Jr. Walker and The All Stars – A Gasssss

 

Jr. Walker and The All Stars – A Gasssss: Rare Soul Vinyl Review

Soul Records 1970 – SS 726

notes:

Jr. Walker and The All Stars were one of Motown’s most dynamic 

soul acts, blending energetic saxophone solos with powerful vocals.

 Their 1970 album A Gasssss showcases the band at the peak of 

their creativity, delivering infectious grooves and memorable 

melodies that continue to influence soul and R&B music today.

Released in 1970 under the Motown label, A Gasssss is a testament

 to Jr. Walker’s mastery of soul and funk. The album features tight 

rhythm sections, catchy hooks, and memorable saxophone riffs.

 It’s a rare vinyl gem, sought after by collectors of 

classic Motown records and rare grooves.

credits:

   🎷 Junior Walker – tenor saxophone, lead vocals

🎸 Willie Woods – guitar

🎹 Vic Thomas – keyboards/organ

🥁 James Graves – drums

(plus possible additional studio players typical on Motown recordings)

    Arranged By  Willie Shorter

    Producer  Johnny Bristol

tracklist:

A1 Do You See My Love (For You Growing)

Written-By – J. Bristol*, R. Beavers*

3:10

A2 And When I Die

Written-By – L. Nyro*

2:50

A3 I Was Made To Love Her

Written-By – H. Cosby*, L. Hardaway*, Wonder*, S. Moy*

2:39

A4 Carry Your Own Load

Written-By – H. Fuqua*, J. Bristol*, R. Beavers*

2:58

A5 Shut Up, Don't Interrupt Me

Written-By – E. Starr*, J. Bristol*

2:51

A6 Groove And Move

Written-By – A. DeWalt*, E. Hollis*, J. Bristol*

2:40

B1 Holly Holy

Written-By – N. Diamond*

4:00

B2 Honey Come Back

Written-By – J. Webb*

3:55

B3 Riding High On Love

Written-By – E. Starr*, J. Bristol*

2:40

B4 Hey Jude

Written-By – J. Lennon*, P. McCartney*

2:59

B5 At A Saturday Matinee

Written-By – A. DeWalt*, E. Hollis*

2:53

link

Ray Bryant In The Cut 1974

 

Ray Bryant – In The Cut  1974 Soul Jazz Album

Cadet Records 1974 CA 50052

notes:

Ray Bryant’s In The Cut stands as a soulful testament to the pianist’s

 unique blend of jazz, blues, and groove‑driven soul. Released in 1974 

on Cadet Records (catalog number CA‑50052), this record showcases 

Bryant’s deep feel for melody and rhythm across a set of tracks that 

balance mainstream accessibility with jazz credibility.

On In The Cut, Bryant reinterprets standards like Watermelon Man 

alongside originals and soulful jazz arrangements  crafting an album

 that’s as laid‑back and funky as its title suggests. The title track itself 

grooves with a relaxed swing, while selections like Cool Struttin’ and 

Land of Make Believe highlight the trio’s tight interplay 

and dynamic expressiveness.

Recorded for the legendary Cadet label, a subsidiary of Chess Records 

known for its quality jazz and soul releases in the 1960s and ’70s, In The Cut

 captures a period when Bryant was merging his blues roots with 

contemporary jazz sensibilities. It remains a favorite among collectors

 and fans of soulful jazz piano.

credits:

Arranged By [Strings & Horns]  Charles Stepney

Bass  Stanley Clarke (tracks: A3, B1 to B3)

Congas  Montego Joe

Drums  Jimmy Johnson (2)

Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Oboe  George Marge (tracks: A1, A3 to B3)

Guitar  John Tropea

Harp  Margaret Ross (tracks: A1, A3 to B3)

Piano, Electric Piano  Ray Bryant

Synthesizer [Moog]  Charles Stepney (tracks: A1 to A3, B1)

Trumpet  Joe Wilder (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), Marvin Stamm (tracks: A1, A3 to B3)

Viola  Alfred Brown (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), Emanuel Vardi (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), 

Julian Barber* (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), Selart Clarke* (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), 

Theodore Israel (tracks: A1, A3 to B3)

Violin  Diana Halprin (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), Emanuel Green (tracks: A1, A3 to B3),

 Harry Glickman (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), Max Polikoff* (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), 

Paul Gershman (tracks: A1, A3 to B3)

Recording Date Recorded Place

january 1974 1, 2-5, 6, 7 Sound Exchange Studios, New York City

Recording   Engineer Skip Juried;Don Hahn

Producer  Esmond Edwards

tracklist:

A1 I'll Be There

Bass – Richard Davis 

Written-By – B. Gordy, Jr.*, B. West*, H. Davis*, W. Hutch*

4:58

A2 Andalusan Nights

Acoustic Guitar – John Tropea

Bass – Ron Carter

Guitar, Soloist – Jimmy Ponder

Written-By – Esmond Edwards

5:08

A3 Stop, Look & Listen To Your Heart / You Are Everything

Written-By – Linda Creed, Thom Bell

6:40

A4 Cool Struttin'

Bass – Ron Carter

Written-By – Ray Bryant

4:47

B1 Land Of Make Believe

Written-By – Chuck Mangione

5:50

B2 In The Cut

Written-By – Ray Bryant

6:17

B3 Watermelon Man

Written-By – Herbie Hancock

5:25

link

Ray Bryant – Lonesome Traveler 1966

 

Ray Bryant – Lonesome Traveler (1966 Cadet Records Album Review  Soul-Jazz Classic)

CADET RECORDS 1966                               LPS 778

notes:

Lonesome Traveler is a classic 1966 album by American jazz 

pianist Ray Bryant, released on the Cadet label during the 

golden era of soul-jazz. Recorded at RCA Studios in New York,

 the album features a powerful rhythm section with Freddie 
Waits on drums and bassists Richard Davis and Jimmy Rowser, 
along with brass contributions from Clark Terry and Snooky Young.
Blending blues feeling, gospel phrasing and hard-bop swing, Bryant
 delivers a set that moves effortlessly from standards like “’Round Midnight”
 to contemporary pop reinterpretations such as “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’.”

credits:

    Ray Bryant – piano
    Snooky Young – trumpet
    Clark Terry – trumpet, flugelhorn
    Jimmy Rowser (tracks 2, 4, 5 & 8-9), 
    Richard Davis (tracks 1, 3 & 6) – bass
    Freddie Waits – drums

 Recorded September 1 & 8, 1966
Studio RCA Studios, New York City, NY
Engineer – Ray Hall
Producer, Supervised By – Esmond Edwards

tracklist:

A1 Lonesome Traveler
Written-By – Hays*
3:14

A2 'Round Midnight
Written-By – Hanighen*, Williams*, Monk*
6:03

A3 These Boots Were Made For Walkin'
Written-By – Hazlewood*
3:36

A4 Willow Weep For Me
Written-By – Ronell*
5:14

B1 The Blue Scimitar
Written-By – Edwards*
4:22

B2 Gettin' Loose
Written-By – Bryant*
3:42

B3 Wild Is The Wind
Written-By – Tiomkin*, Washington*
4:30

B4 Cubano Chant
Written-By – Ray Bryant
4:10

B5 Brother This 'N' Sister That
Written-By – Bryant*
4:43

link

 

 

Ray Bryant – Up Above The Rock (1968 )

 

Ray Bryant – Up Above The Rock (1968 Jazz Album Review & Tracklist)

Cadet Records 1968  LPS 818

notes:

Released in 1968, Up Above The Rock is one of the most 

energetic recordings by American jazz pianist Ray Bryant,

 blending hard-bop piano with soulful grooves and strong

 rhythmic arrangements. The album was released on 

Cadet Records and recorded in New York with a powerful

 rhythm section 

including Ron Carter on bass and Grady Tate on drums.

Bryant’s playing on this album perfectly captures the

 transition between classic jazz piano and the 

emerging soul-jazz sound of the late 1960s.

credits:

Arranged By, Piano – Ray Bryant

Bass – Ron Carter

Drums – Grady Tate

Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Danny Moore, 

Dobbie Hiques, Snookie Young

Liner Notes – Bill Frangus

Producer – Richard Evans 

Supervised By – Dick LaPalm

  Recording 

September, 1968 RCA Recoring Studios, 

New York City

Recording Engineer Ray Hall

tracklist:

A1 Up Above The Rock

Written-By – Bryant*

2:59

A2 Dag Nab It

Written-By – Bryant*, Evans*

3:33

A3 Quizas, Quizas, Quizas

Written-By – Burke*, Farres*

3:18

A4 If I Were A Carpenter

Written-By – Tim Hardin

2:48

A5 Little Green Apples

Written-By – B. Russell*

3:21

B1 I Say A Little Prayer

Written-By – Bacharach & David*

4:45

B2 After Hours

Written-By – Parrish*, Feyne*, Bruce*

3:47

B3 Where The Wind Blows

Written-By – Bryant*

4:33

B4 Five, Six And Seven

Written-By – Howard Reynolds

3:20

B5 Mrs. Robinson

Written-By – Paul Simon

2:53

link

Brook Benton – Home Style (1970)

Brook Benton – Home Style (1970) |Soul Album Review & Tracklist

Cotillion records 1970 ‎– SD 9028

notes:

Brook Benton’s “Home Style” (1970) is a beautifully crafted 

country-soul album released on Cotillion Records and produced

 by Arif Mardin. Recorded shortly after Benton’s hit 

“Rainy Night in Georgia”, the album blends southern soul,

 gospel feeling and country influences, showcasing 

the singer’s deep baritone and storytelling style.

  

credits:

Arranged, conducted and produced By

Arif Mardin

Rhythm Section: The Dixie Flyers

Jim Dickinson : Guitar, Keyboards

Charlie Freeman : lead Guitar

Mike Utley: Organ,Electric Piano

Tommy Mclure: Bass

Sammy Creason : drums, percussions

George Dorsey : alto sax

King Curtis : tenor sax

pepper Adams : Baritone Sax

Joe Newman : trompet

Benny Powell : trombone

string section: Direction Gene Orloff

Background vocal: The Sweet Inpirations

vocal obligatos : Cissy Houston

recorded at: Atlantic south criteria studio Miami and

Atlantic recording studio New York

Engineers:Ron Albert,Chuck Kirkpatric, Mack Emerman,

Lewis Hahn & Gene Paul

tracklist:

A1 Whoever Finds This I Love You

Written-By – Mac Davis

4:26

A2 For Lee Ann

Written-By – Tony Joe White

3:48

A3 Willie And Laura Mae Jones

Written-By – Tony Joe White

4:08

A4 It's All In The Game

Written-By – Carl Sigman, Charles G. Dawes*

3:38

A5 Don't It Make You Wanta Go Home

Written-By – Joe South

3:20

B1 Aspen Colorado

Written-By – Tony Joe White

3:31

B2 Don't Think Twice It's All Right

Written-By – Bob Dylan

3:28

B3 Born Under A Bad Sign

Written-By – Booker T. Jones, William Bell

3:02

B4 Are You Sincere

Written-By – Wayne Walker

3:34

B5 Let Me Fix It

Written-By – Brook Benton

4:28

link

Richard “Groove” Holmes – Workin’ On A Groovy Thing (1969)

Richard “Groove” Holmes – Workin’ On A Groovy Thing 
(1969 Blue Note Jazz Album Review)

World Pacific Jazz records 1969 – ST-20153

notes:

Workin’ On A Groovy Thing is a 1969 soul-jazz album by legendary 

Hammond organ player Richard “Groove” Holmes. Released on the 

iconic World Pacific Jazz Records label, the album blends funky 

organ grooves, big-band arrangements and instrumental 

versions of late-1960s pop hits. It remains one of the most accessible

 entries in Holmes’ rich soul-jazz discography.

credits:

Arranged By, Conductor – Gerald Wilson

Organ – Richard "Groove" Holmes

Richard "Groove" Holmes With Gerald Wilson Orchestra

Herbert Anderson, Paul Hubinon, Larry McGuire, Jerry Rusch (trumpet) 

William Peterson (electric trumpet) 

Thurman Green, Frank Strong (trombone) 

Mike Wimberly (bass trombone) 

Anthony Ortega, Ernie Watts (alto saxophone) 

Richard Aplanalp (baritone saxophone) 

Richard "Groove" Holmes (organ) 

Dennis Budimir (guitar) 

Wilton Felder (electric bass) 

Paul Humphrey (drums) 

Gerald Wilson (arranger, conductor)

Los Angeles, CA, 1969

tracklist:

A1 Isola Natale

Written-By – Brian Auger

4:05

A2 Do You Know The Way To San Jose

Written-By – Burt Bacharach - Hal David*

3:52

A3 Workin' On A Groovy Thing

Written-By – Neil Sedaka, Roger Atkins

2:46

A4 Oklahoma Toad

Written-By – Dave Frishberg

2:30

A5 High Blues Pressure

Written-By – Frederick Hubbard*

4:35

B1 Listen Here

Written-By – Eddie Harris

3:58

B2 In And Out

Written-By – John L. (Wes) Montgomery*

3:27

B3 Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife

Written-By – Chris Gantry

2:42

B4 Rhythm & Groove

Written-By – Richard "Groove" Holmes

4:25

B5 I Can't Stop Dancing

Written-By – Gamble - Huff*

2:54

link

Richard “Groove” Holmes – Super Soul (1967)

Richard “Groove” Holmes – Super Soul (1967): Classic Soul-Jazz Hammond Organ Album

Prestige ‎records 1967 – PRST 7497

notes:

A Soul-Jazz Classic from the Hammond B3 Master

Super Soul is a 1967 album by legendary jazz organist Richard “Groove” Holmes, 

recorded in Chicago and released on the Prestige label. The album blends 

soul-jazz grooves, big-band arrangements and pop-influenced repertoire,

 a style that helped Holmes become one of the most recognizable 

Hammond organ players of the era

Richard “Groove” Holmes (1931-1991) was a major figure in the soul-jazz 

movement, known for his powerful Hammond B-3 sound and his crossover

 success with the hit version of “Misty.”

His style mixed blues, gospel and jazz improvisation, making him one 

of the most influential organists of the 1960s.

credits:

Richard "Groove" Holmes - organ

The Super Soul Big Band arranged 

and conducted by Richard Evans

Recorded April 26 & 27, 1967

Chicago, Illinois

Producer Cal Lampley

tracklist:

A1 Why Don't You Do Right

Written-By – Joe McCoy

3:40

A2 Ain't That Peculiar

Written-By – Tarplin*, Rogers*, Robinson*, Moore*

3:10

A3 In Between The Heartaches

Written-By – Bacharach/David*

3:20

A4 Function At The Junction 3:11

A5 Green Dolphin Street

Written-By – Kaper*

6:40

B1 I Will Wait For You

Written-By – Denny*, LeGrande*, Gimbel*

4:00

B2 Back Home Again In Indiana

Written-By – McDonald*, Hanley*

5:08

B3 Tennessee Waltz

Written-By – Stewart*

2:40

B4 Bluesette

Written-By – Theilman*

4:10

B5 Super Soul

Written-By – Holmes*

3:05

link

  

Richard “Groove” Holmes – Soul Power! (1968)

Richard “Groove” Holmes – Soul Power (1968) | Classic Soul-Jazz Album Review

Prestige records 1967  PRST 7543

notes:

Richard “Groove” Holmes remains one of the great Hammond B-3 

organists of the soul-jazz era. His 1968 album Soul Power! on 

Prestige Records captures the relaxed but deeply funky style that 

made him a key figure of late-1960s jazz. Recorded in December 1967,

 the album blends original material with soul and pop covers such 

as “Sunny,” “Gimme Little Sign,” and Horace Silver’s “The Preacher.”

Crédits

    Congas – Dave Blume

    Drums – Ben Dixon

    Electric Bass – Jimmy Lewis 

    Lead Guitar – Wally Richardson

    Organ – Richard "Groove" Holmes

    Rhythm Guitar – Steve Wolfe

Producer – Cal Lampley

Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder

Recorded  December 19, 1967

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

tracklist:

A1 Soul Power

Written-By – Holmes*

5:50

A2 Gimme Little Sign

Arranged By – Dave Blume

Written-By – Smith*, Hooven*, Winn*

2:30

A3 How Can I Be Sure

Arranged By – Dave Blume

Written-By – Brigati*, Cavaliere*

5:00

A4 Sunny

Written-By – Hebb*

5:35

B1 Since I Fell For You

Soloist – Holmes*, Wally Richardson

Written-By – Johnson*

8:25

B2 The Preacher

Written-By – Gonzales*, Silver*

7:15

B3 Girl Talk

Written-By – Troup*, Hefti*

5:50

link