AMG Review of 3

Michael G. Nastos
All Music Guide

For their album 3, the self-proclaimed Godfathers of Groove mix it up a bit more within the soul-jazz arena, playing interpretations of pop tunes, some straight-ahead jazz, originals, and in essence the funky music that is at the core of their identities. Bassist Jerry Jemmott was the special guest on their previous album, but here it is the veteran jazz saxophonist Bill Easley, who plays on selected cuts with his usual professional verve, panache, and solid, fluid lines. Guitarist Grant Green, Jr. is coming into his own as heard more clearly, while organist Reuben Wilson and drummer Bernard Purdie continue to stake their estimable reputations on the chitlin circuit music they grew up with. When the band chooses to swing, as on the basic 12-bar groove "My Blues" with its fleet organ solo amidst Purdie's shuffle beat, or the straight-ahead, uncomplicated, and simple "Down Hill" with Easley's deft tenor leading the way, there's little stopping them. A very, very, very slow take of "Stella by Starlight" gives Green Jr. an opportunity to emulate his famous father's unmistakable snappy technique, pulled off the bone and well done. His singing, a bit gritty, crops up on versions of "Light My Fire" and "What's Going On," admirable but not a strong suit. Where Wilson shines is his ability to either shred solos and melodies, as on the head-nodding groove of the delightfully rendered "The Funkster" or on the solid-sending feed he provides during "Groove On" above Green's overdubbed guitar parts. Of course, there is no more readily identifiable drummer than Purdie when he shakes and bakes the clockwork rhythms of "Monkey Milk," in an Average White Band "Pick Up the Pieces" mode, or adds his personal and widely copied light contemporary funk to a modified version of "Autumn Leaves." Purdie also proves he can swing with the best of jazz drummers, an aspect of his personality and career not always given due credit. This is a good recording with many high moments, the GOG laying in wait to deliver their collective goods on the truly killer effort they are certainly capable of.