Richard "Groove" Holmes, organ; Gene Edwards, guitar; George Randall, drums.
Richard "Groove" Holmes sets off on a gladiatorial charge, riding astride his Hammond B3 organ with "(Back Home Again In) Indiana", at a furious pace; it would not have been surprising if the organ had been fitted with revolving swords to cut down the enemy chariots from its path. He flashes over the keys, scaly dashes, and arpeggio shapes, sharp stabbing entries, and often squealing with delight. Recorded at Count Basie's Lounge, Harlem, in 1966, these are unheard tracks gleaned from that date. This is funky soul Jazz that does not let up. Relative unknowns Gene Edwards on guitar and George Randall on drums make up the trio and are able to stamp their mark. Sigmund Romberg is given four beats in a bar for his waltz "When I Grow Too Old To Dream", and then we are away on a gallop again with Coleman Hawkins's "Rifftide", full of lightning repetition that is hardly noticed. Horace Silver's "Nica's Dream", allows the guitar a good crack of the whip; hard bop with a bit of Afro Latin rhythm thrown in. Swinging happily into the last number, "Night Train", to end a powerful up beat set. This is fine entertainment; keep it for party time.
by Ferdinand Maylin
Copyright Jazz Now, April 2004 issue, all rights reserved
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