Joe Thomas - Joy Of Cookin' (2018)

While not reaching the same heights of Joe Thomas' previous Ebony Godfather LP, the aptly titled Joy of Cookin' boasts a comparable deep-fried funk flavor, fusing the style and sensibility of blaxploitation-era soundtracks with the formal ingenuity of jazz. Horace Ott's big, bold arrangements nicely complement Thomas' sweet, fluttery flute, which navigates in and out of the melodies with the grace of a monarch butterfly. Guitarist Jimmy Ponder and organist Jiggs Chase shine as well, contributing much to the session's overall joie de vivre. The highlight is a blistering cover of "Thank You (Fall Etin Me Be Mice Elf Agin)" that does Sly Stone proud. ~ Jason Ankeny