AMG Review of On the Soul Side

Alex Henderson
All Music Guide

While other Les McCann albums have emphasized R&B or soul-jazz vocals, the singer/pianist does very little singing on this CD. Only on "Look to Your Heart" can McCann's vocals be heard. Except for "God Bless America" (which contains a memorable vocal by Lou Rawls), all of the other tracks are jazz instrumentals. Joined by saxman Keith Anderson, trumpeter Jeff Elliott, bassist Abraham Laboriel, and drummer Tony St. James, a 58-year-old McCann makes jazz pianism his top priority on this album. It's a very lyrical and accessible sort of jazz pianism -- those who have spent a lot of time savoring Gene Harris' playing or getting into Joe Sample's Carmel should appreciate McCann's melodic playing on "Back Rub," "Shabalala," and other originals. Sadly, On the Soul Side is the last studio album that McCann would record as a leader before suffering a major stroke in early 1995 -- one that weakened his piano playing without depriving him of his ability to sing.