AMG Review of Funkiest Little Band in the Land/Tribute to Count Basie

Michael Erlewine
All Music Guide

LRC Jazz Classics combined two '60s albums from Jimmy McGriff on one CD. A Tribute to Count Basie was recorded in 1966 with the Jimmy McGriff Big Band, and it is a very large group. At the center of all these instruments is the one-man band organ sound of McGriff. This salute to Count Basie includes ten songs that he wrote or made a part of his repetoire. Actually, the record works quite well. Funkiest Little Band in the Land is a collection of McGriff with small bands during the years from 1968 to 1974, before he went to the large orchestra format. Produced by Sonny Lester, many of these appeared on the Groove Merchant label. Includes a lot of funky stuff with titles like"Super Funk," "Fat Cakes," "Groove Fly," and "Dig On It." There are 13 cuts and plenty of vintage McGriff.