Harold Mabern - Greasy Kid Stuff! (1970) [2014]

One of the most hard-wailing albums that Harold Mabern ever cut – a bit of a shift from some of his more lyrical modes, and a soul jazz smoker that's almost in a Prestige jazz funk mode! The combo here is great, and a bit of a shift for Harold – with Lee Morgan on trumpet, Hubert Laws on tenor and flute, Buster Williams on bass, and the mighty Idris Muhammad on drums – playing in a way that's slightly more open than his hard-bumping grooves on other Prestige albums of the time. The whole thing's got a gritty energy that definitely lives up to the title – and which makes the album one of the best that Mabern ever cut as a leader. Boogaloo Joe Jones plays guitar on one track – a great version of "I Want You Back" – and other titles include "Alex The Great", "John Neely-Beautiful People", and "XKE".


Tracks:

01 - Greasy Kid Stuff
02 - I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do
03 - XKE
04 - Alex The Great
05 - I Want You Back
06 - John Neely - Beautiful People

Personnel:

Harold Mabern - piano
Lee Morgan - trumpet
Hubert Laws - flute, tenor saxophone
Joe Jones - guitar (track 5)
Buster Williams - bass
Idris Muhammad - drums