That's Funky

Benny Golson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 22, 2000)
• Original Release Date: January 18, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arkadia Jazz
• ASIN: B00004D39T
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,202 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Mack the Knife [Funky Version]

2. Moanin'

3. Sidewinder

4. Mississippi Windows

5. Work Song

6. Mortat [Modern Bebop Version]

7. Blues March

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This session harkens back to Golson's pivotal role in the 1958 edition of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, when the tenor saxophonist was helping to mold the classic form of the hard-bop quintet. In fact, it was Golson, as musical director, who really defined the Messengers' ethos and sound. He was also the man who introduced Blakey to those other young Philadelphians, trumpeter Lee Morgan and pianist Bobby Timmons. He's joined here by another significant voice of the style, trumpeter Nat Adderley in one of his last recording sessions before passing away in early 2000, and a first-rate rhythm section made up of younger veterans: pianist Monty Alexander, bassist Ray Drummond, and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith. The band pumps vigorous life into tunes that helped define hard bop and soul jazz--Golson's "Blues March," Adderley's "Work Song," Timmons's "Moanin,'" and Morgan's "Sidewinder"--as well as two versions of Kurt Weill's "Mack the Knife," one funky, one boppish. It's a band that's both hard driving and playful, from Alexander's reggae touches to Drummond quoting "Wade in the Water" during his solo on "Moanin'." The inspiration shows in Golson's solos, from coiling, quicksilver bop to the deeply felt blues he serves up on his new tune "Mississippi Windows." --Stuart Broomer

Product Description

Jazz Saxophonist & Composer Benny Golson and his all-star cohorts (Nat Adderley, Monty Alexander, Ray Drummond, & Marvin Smitty Smith) capture the heart of Funk on this stirring CD Benny Golon: That s Funky (also available as MP3 Download). Golson has put together a menu of tunes that represent some of Jazz music's greatest hits, creating some of the Funkiest moments of the twentieth century. When most people think of Funk, it's generally associated with R&B stars such as George Clinton (and his Parliament / Funkadelic bands), or the Godfather of Soul, James Brown (whose former band members include Funk Royalty such as Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley). Well before the Clinton's and Brown's of music made their presence felt during the 60's, Hardbop Grandpop Horace Silver was the first to pull funk out of the closet and call it by name with his classic Opus De Funk during the 50's. In a sense, this action made it acceptable for this blues based sensibility to be recognized in Jazz in a formal way. Silver wasn't the only voice laying down this sound, coaxing fans out of their seats to joyous romping and nodding their heads to funky rhythms. There were other architects who helped to build this brand of music and spread the funky word. Among them is Philadelphia born and bred saxophonist Benny Golson. Benny Golson: That's Funky is not only a testament to the authors of some of the finest Jazz compositions, but also a recording of some of the funkiest performances of the past Century.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is FUNKY (for jazz), July 4, 2002

By 

"superphat" (Hotlanta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That's Funky (Audio CD)

For a straight ahead jazz album (played by masters of the genre) this IS very funky. Before Bootsy was playing for James Brown and before Larry Graham was slappin and poppin; before there was fusion, these guys, or should I say LEGENDS were playing some funky [stuff]. Excellent blowing on some great standards. Ray Drummon, especially, is putting on a clinic on how to lay masterful grooves!

11 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars 2 ½* No, That's Not Funky, June 24, 2002

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: That's Funky (Audio CD)

The CD title suggests some sort of jazz-funk fusion, but either someone misnamed the album or the band just plays it too straight. I was expecting something with the energy and punch a jazz/funk mix, but Benny Golson (an excellent instrumentalist) does not even begin to use the full arsenal of funk in these arrangements, Overall, it's boring, and that's not funky.

The opener, "Mack the Knife (funk version)" has barely a trace of funk and only Nat Adderley is well recorded. Track 2 could have used some funk bass but settles instead for safe ground; similarly, the famous "Sidewinder" cries out for organ instead of the mostly bland piano. At least Golson and Monty Alexander add some interest.

Mississippi Windows has some decent blues and an excellent arrangement-it's the best song here. I would have preferred an album of similar cuts, instead of the unfulfilled promise of funkified jazz. Golson and (especially) Nat Adderley are excellent on "Work Song;" Adderley mixes clear rapid notes with bluesy slurs. He consistently shines throughout the album and is well recorded.

We are informed that the last cut, "Moritat," is the "modern bebop version" of "Mack the Knife," but it is just as bereft of bop as Track 1 was of funk. This song is mostly a return to the bland, with just a hint of bop. Monty Alexander loosens up the last song, "Blues March," but it has little else going for it. Not recommended.