Grant Green Ain't It Funky Now! CD

A glance at the track list tells listeners all they need to know. The title cut is an extended workout on James Brown's 1969 jam, while the Meters' "Ease Back" is given a smooth and sassy reading. Green and company also reinvent the Isley Brothers' "It's Your Thing," Kool & the Gang's "Let the Music Take Your Mind," and the Stylistics' "Betcha By Golly, Wow" (the latter from a live recording that emphasizes the ballad's swaying lyricism). Green's fluid style is front and center throughout, lending a touch of sophistication to the down-and-dirty proceedings on this well-compiled set.

The first installment of the three-volume set documenting Grant Green's final years at Blue Note is a tasty, seven-track compilation from the often underrated, cool-toned guitarist. By 1969, Green was turning away from the bop-inspired direction that had dominated his earlier recordings for the label, and was moving deeper into the territory of soul-jazz, R&B, and funk. As the title of this compilation suggests, AIN'T IT FUNKY NOW is packed with serious grooves, and Green charges headlong into the rhythmic fray with help from drummer Idris Muhammad, conguero Candido Camero, trumpeter Blue Mitchell, and saxophonist Claude Bartee, among others.

Live Recording

Personnel: Grant Green (guitar); George Marge, John Leone, Phil Bodner, Romeo Penque (woodwinds); Claude Bartee (tenor saxophone); Joe Newman , Joe Wilder, Victor Paz, Blue Mitchell, Jimmy Sedlar (trumpet); Jim Buffington (French horn); Harry DiVito (trombone); Dick Hickson (bass trombone); Emanuel Riggins (electric piano, Clavinet, organ); Clarence Palmer (electric piano); Shelton Laster (organ); Gary Coleman, William Bivens (vibraphone); Chuck Rainey, Jimmy Lewis , Wilton Felder (bass guitar); Greg Williams, Idris Muhammad, Stix Hooper (drums); Bobbye Porter (congas, percussion); Joseph Armstrong, Candido Camero (congas); Richard Landrum (bongos); King Errisson, Ray Armando (percussion).

JazzTimes (p.117) - "Idris Muhammad lays down some sever boom-bap, augmented by Candido and Richard Landrum, proving he's just about the funkiest jazz drummer ever."