Lonnie Smith, Ramon Morris, Larry Willis - The Best of the Funky Blues from The Groove Merchant Vault, Vol. 2 (2012)

Lonnie Smith:
A swashbuckling torchbearer for the funky soul-jazz tradition, Dr. Lonnie Smith was a master of the Hammond B-3 organ whose classic recordings are often cited as a major influence on the electronic, hip-hop, and funk artists who followed him. He first grabbed audience's attention in the late 1960s playing alongside two fellow soul-jazz pioneers, guitarist George Benson and saxophonist Lou Donaldson, the former of which appeared on the organist's 1967 debut album, Finger Lickin' Good. That same year, Smith played on Donaldson's classic Blue Note album Alligator Boogaloo and then followed with several of his own sessions for the label, including 1968's Think! with Lee Morgan. He recorded for CTI in the '70s before taking a break from the music business. Along the way, he adopted the title of "Dr." and began wearing a traditional Sikh turban, theatrical affectations that further enriched his soulful persona. Since returning to regular performing in the '90s, Smith has regained his prominence as one the forefathers of crossover jazz, and his albums have influenced countless acid jazz performers, hip-hop artists, and DJs. Under the guidance of Don Was, he eventually returned to Blue Note and has released several Top 20 Billboard Jazz albums, including 2016's Evolution and 2021's Breathe with Iggy Pop.

Larry Willis:
Once identified with on-the-edge free music, keyboardist Larry Willis had a profitable flirtation with fusion in the '70s, then moved to hard bop in the '80s and '90s. Willis' playing has been frenetic, ambitious, and interesting, but during his jazz-rock and fusion days it was funky but greatly restrained and simplistic. A devotee of Herbie Hancock, Willis has found a good balance, with expertly constructed modal solos and also lyrical, relaxed statements. Willis graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in the early '60s, then played with Jackie McLean and Hugh Masekela. He recorded with Lee Morgan and McLean in the mid-'60s, and worked with Kai Winding and Stan Getz, as well as recording with Robin Kenyatta in 1969. Willis turned to synthesizer and electric piano in the '70s, doing sessions with Cannonball Adderley, Earl May, Joe Henderson, Richard "Groove" Holmes, and Masekela again. He joined Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1972, recorded with Alphonse Mouzon in both 1972 and 1973, and did dates as a leader and freelance session musician. Willis also recorded with Ryo Kawasaki and Sonny Fortune in the late '70s, and with David "Fathead" Newman and Carla Bley in the '80s. Willis toured and recorded with Nat Adderley in the '80s and joined Woody Shaw's quintet in 1986. He's done sessions as a leader for Groove Merchant, Steeplechase, Audioquest, Brunswick, and Mapleshade, among others, including Blue Fable and Offering on Highnote in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Ramon Morris - Jazz/funk saxophonist.