GREG LEWIS — Organ Monk, The Breathe Suite (review)

GREG LEWIS — Organ Monk, The Breathe Suite album cover Album · 2017 · 21st Century Modern Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
kev rowland


I was fortunate enough to hear Greg’s last album, ‘Organ Monk American Standard’, and was excited to see that he was releasing another, so was looking forward to hearing this, and I wasn’t disappointed. Inspired by the great Thelonious Monk, Greg Lewis has made the Hammond B-3 organ his very own in recent years and it is interesting to hear what he is doing with it. Yes, he can be soulful, yes he can be mellow and reflective, but there is an angst throughout this album, a real edge, and when the band let loose they create something that is powerful.

Each of the songs on the album are dedicated to an African American who had been killed during confrontations with police officers. By far the longest piece on the album is the first, which is dedicated to Michael Brown, who was fatally shot on August 9th, 2014 by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, after reportedly robbing a convenience store. This is nearly nineteen minutes long, and is full of passion and driving force, almost free jazz at times, and almost hard rock at others, as all the players combine to create a powerful message. By creating a suite in this manner, with a different name applied to each, it allows the listener to understand more of the message that is being portrayed. Some of the songs are performed by a trio, while others involve more musicians, but at the heart of it all is Greg, sometimes providing the backdrop for others to solo against, while at others he is in full flight. Special mention must also be made of the two drummers involved Nasheet Waits and Jeremy ‘BEAN’ Clemons – they are both kept high in the mix, and deservedly so, as their virtuosity and understanding adds to the overall effect.

This is yet another great jazz release from Greg, and if you have yet to come across his work then you owe it to yourself to do so.
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