Lou Donaldson The Natural Soul CD

Personnel: Lou Donaldson (alto saxophone); Tommy Turrentine (trumpet); John Patton (organ); Grant Green (guitar); Ben Dixon (drums).
Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on May 9, 1962. Includes liner notes by Del Shields and Bob Blumenthal.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Personnel: Lou Donaldson (alto saxophone); Grant Green (guitar); Tommy Turrentine (trumpet); Big John Patton (organ); Ben Dixon (drums).
Audio Remasterer: Rudy Van Gelder.
Liner Note Author: Bob Blumenthal.
Recording information: Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (05/09/1962).
Photographer: Francis Wolff.
The Natural Soul finds Lou Donaldson delving deeply into soul-jazz, recording a set of funky, greasy instrumentals with only a few references to hard bop. Donaldson occasionally sounds a little awkward with the relaxed groove of The Natural Soul, as does trumpeter Tommy Turrentine, but the trio of guitarist Grant Green, organist John Patton, and drummer Ben Dixon keep things cooking. Green and Patton's solos often burn and are always invigorating, and Lou frequently matches their heights. The original compositions -- which form the bulk of the album -- aren't much more than blues and soul vamps, but they provide an excellent foundation for the combo to work hot grooves. And, in the end, that's what The Natural Soul is about -- groove. It maintains the high standards Donaldson established with his first soul-jazz foray, Here 'Tis, and remains one of his best records in that genre. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
The Natural Soul finds Lou Donaldson delving deeply into soul-jazz; recording a set of funky, greasy instrumentals with only a few references to hard bop. Donaldson occasionally sounds a little awkward with the relaxed groove of The Natural Soul, as does trumpeter Tommy Turrentine, but the trio of guitarist Grant Green, organist Johnny Patton, and drummer Ben Dixon, keep things cooking. Green and Patton's solos often burn and are always invigorating, and Lou frequently matches their heights. The original compositions, which form the bulk of the album, aren't much more than blues and soul vamps, but they provide an excellent foundation for the combo to work hot grooves. And, in the end, that's what The Natural Soul is about: groove. It maintains the high standards Donaldson established with his first soul-jazz foray, Here 'Tis, and remains one of his best records in that genre. [Also released with bonus tracks.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine