Jared Gold - All Wrapped Up (2011)

Jared Gold covers all the bases on his latest Posi-Tone release,All Wrapped Up. From what could be called standard Hammond B-3 fare of a Jack McDuff, to more adventurous edgy voyages that Larry Young brought that inspired more free blowing by horn sidemen, Jared is a Hammond man of all seasons and genres.

Using front line giants Jim Rotondi and Ralph Bowen allows Gold to branch off in any direction. Rotondi has the power to blow off the doors and yet can melt your heart on a ballad. Bowen is much the same with a winning combination of free blowing matched by in the pocket groove making that sets up Gold to go either direction.

Jared wrote five of the eight tracks while Rotondi, Bowen, and Davis each contributing a composition. “Get Out of My Sandbox” gives Rotondi free rein to up the ante after the members open with a foot-tappin’ riff. Ralph and Jim can blend like frothy milk on a latte. Jared throws in organ lines to back the horns. “Piece of Mine” is a classic organ/ horn stone groove. I never tire of Rotondi’s mix of brass with sass.

Bowen’s “Midnight Snack” packs a wallop and would keep you up well past the witching hour, while “Dark Blue” might be more appropriate late night listening. I dug Gold’s spot perfect organ lines here which make you pay attention as he shows he belongs with the top young organists leading the return to the source movement. Those of us that can’t get enough Hammond grease with our aural meals are in good hands with these new keepers of the flame. “Mama Said” is a perfect example of honoring the past with an eye toward the future. I’d put this track on any inner city restaurant jukebox to accompany some serious rib action.

“Saudades” adds a little edgy introspection to the mix, less a toe-tapper than a serious listening experience. “Just a Suggestion” gives Quincy Davis a chance to shine while Bowen opens up. You can unwrap this CD in a few weeks, just in time for some serious Spring partying. Kudos again to producer Marc Free and engineer, Nick O’Toole, for their usual top rate Posi-Tone pristine sound mix that we’ve come to expect. They never disappoint…