Customer Reviews

Black Talk

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I remember when I was in high school ...twelth grade. My mother and I agreed on nothing but this album as they were called back then. It was the only album I could blast full volume and she would groove to the music with me. She's gone now but I tell you what... everytime I play this cd I think of her. God bless Charles Earland for bringing her and I together on common ground...a funky jazz organ player.

This is an incredible album, not because of Earland's genius as a soloist, but because of his distinct ability to BURN... While many of his contemporaries were still stuck in the '50s with that grindy Jimmy Smith sound.... Earland forged ahead with an equally earthy, but more "dance floor" appropriate sound... built from the funky Jimmy McGriff school, but going far beyond mere blues. - - His sweat inducing energetic version of MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY is now a Jazz organ staple (as well as staple of his live performances) - - Songs from this album also appear on the soundtrack to Fritz the Cat - - Everything on the album is funky.. the type that club DJs love to get their hands on and sample - - This is one album that I'd have to reccomend not only to Jazzers, but folks into Greyboy All Stars, Albert Collins, MMW, Funk Inc. even the Meters (only this is the REAL thing - - you'll see what I mean when you get it.) - - If you like this, I suggest checking out LEON SPENCER (Greatest Hits), a bit of REUBEN WILSON, and JOHN PATTON's MINOR SWING.

My Father gave me this album when I was about 7 years old, and my life's never been the same since. My Dad was heavy in to traditional jazz: Miles, Jimmy Smith, you name it. You can FEEL this album. This is the stuff good Funk is made of. The band, especially the drummer, Idris Muhummad, just smokes on every song. If you like Jimmy Smith, you'll love this album. Charles Earland just turns the Hammond organ out!! Even if you're into hip-hop, you need to listen to this. The grooves are irresistable. You cannot sit still, seriously. This is excellent musicianship at its best. JB would be proud. Don't go to heaven without this CD.

This is one of the funkiest albums I ever heard. I own a battery of jazz albums and funk albums, Black Talk is one of the greatest unsung cross overs. Easily one of my favorites.

WOW! this disc is Blazing hot to this day.his ORGAN style of playing ain't no joke.this is a classic disc.it sounds fresher now than it did back when it came out.it's Funky,Bluesy&alot of Bangin'Groove.between him Jimmy Smith,Jimmy McGriff,&Lonnie Listen SMith you get Genius.Charles Earland went one step ahead with this Gem.

On May 20, 2009, 7:45 A.M., I enter Starbucks on Manhattan's Third Avenue between 60th & 61st Streets, and what's filling the room but "More Today Than Yesterday," sounding like it was recorded 40 days rather than an amazing 40 years ago! As I imagine was the case for other reviewers, for me "Black Talk" served as one of several "gateway" albums from R&B to jazz, although I hadn't discovered it until 1971 after first having been converted by "Sparks!," the inaugural album of "Black Talk's" guitarist Melvin Sparks.

For those of you with a pop/R&B/soul musical sensibility and thinking about exploring jazz, buying "Black Talk" is a no-risk proposition. I defy you not to love it!

OK, so I backed into this CD (thanks, Fritz the Cat), but hey, better late than never. Some excellent playing all around - great ensemble work by all concerned. The only down bit is "Aquarius", which on occasion sounds a bit too Holiday Inn for me. Any ill will is erased by "More Today Than Yesterday", which is one of the few songs over 11 minutes that you'll wish was longer. If you're jazz and want to try funk, or if you're funk and want to try jazz, you could do a lot worse than this CD.

This review is not of the entire album but of the song "More Today Than Yesterday". The orginal was by a group from Sacramento California (Spiral Starecase) with a nice vocal but LOUSY groove. Very square. Charles Earland took the song and converted it into a SUPREMELY funky, hella swangin' track. Delicious.
Here's what I've been doing every day for about a week. Playing this track over and over again about 5 times in a row and getting deep into the FEELING of the song. With repeated listening at maximum volume, it puts you in a kind of trance and you can just FEEL the LOVE these cats were putting out. After a while I start getting tears in my eyes.
I recommend checking out the lyrics to the tune, it's all about reaching for greater and greater LOVE and these cats do just that with their superb, REACHING style of playing.... Reaching for the PEAK of joy. This song is an example of why I've always believed that JAZZ MUSIC is a PROFOUNDLY spiritual style of American music and my absolute favorite of all the wonderful American musical styles.
With this music Charles Earland made this mean old world a better place. May God bless his soul!!!

Every jazz organist has his/her (shirley scott) sound. Where as Jimmy Smith brought over the bop, Larry young, the modal and post-bop, Jack mcduff the single-lined piano styled gospel blues fun, groove holmes, the solid basslines, lonnie smith the pure funk, jimmy mcgriff the funk blues, etc. Charles earland carved out his own sound. On this album and pretty much all his others (save a few commercial ones from the 80's) he brings his own distinct flavor to the organ. Not only is his soloing exceptional, but the types of changes/progressions he uses, or the way he approaches/arranges each song make it really groove. Like another reviewer said, it doesn't feel like another 50's rhythm and blues jam, it is updated and sophisticated without being watered down.

After enjoying this check out "intensity" it's very similar. Also don't forget to check out his excellent underrated releases in the early to mid 90's. They groove just as hard.

I grew up listening to this, my family members are all jazz fans and have the vinyl album from 1970...so i wanted the CD