"BROTHER" JACK MCDUFF — The Heatin'System (review)

Album · 1972 · Funk Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
js
In the early 60s Jack McDuff built a solid reputation as a great B3 soloist in the popular soul jazz genre of the day. Like many other organists in this genre, Jack played a mix of slow blues, pop tune covers and swingin hard bop. Along came the late 60s and McDuff began to adapt as so many others did. Blues and swing were out, while funk and wide open free playing were in. McDuff wasted no time in picking up on these new trends and by the time he cut ‘Heatin Sysrtem’ in 1972 he was well versed in a far more modern version of soul jazz.

Interestingly enough the album opens with a classic slow blues from days gone by until we hit the middle of the tune when an odd horn fanfare signals for the band to launch into a medium funk groove with JBs styled walking bass playing just behind the beat for that extra funky feel and groovy congas keeping double-time. When the horn players jump in for their ride its with the new ‘outside’ freedom that was introduced by John Coltrane years earlier.

Although there is one more cut on here in the old blues style, most everything else on here is funky and fresh with a rhythm section sound somewhat in-between the Meters and the JBs, with excellent non-cliché horn arrangements added on top and energetic modern solos all throughout. Album closer ‘Radiation’ pushes things a little further with some Larry Young/Coltrane styled free swingin post bop with a quartal harmonic accompaniment similar to McCoy Tyner. This is an excellent record, far more adventurous than your standard Jack McDuff swing blues outing.
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