Mellow Madness
Grant Green
Idris Muhammad, Ronnie Foster, Blue Mitchell, Candido Camero, Wilton Felder
Producer: Francis Wolff, George Butler, Richard Seidel
Blue Note Records (USA), 2005
1 CD
Catalogue #: 60142
EAN: 0724356014220
UPC: 724356014220
You save: 20%
Personnel: Grant Green (guitar); Claude Bartee (tenor saxophone); Blue Mitchell (trumpet); Ronnie Foster, Shelton Laster, Emmanuel Riggins (organ); Neal Creque (electric keyboard); Gary Coleman, Willie "Yambo" Bivens (vibraphone); Jimmy Lewis, Wilton Felder (bass guitar); Greg Williams, Idris Muhammad (drums); Bobbye Porter Hall (congas, percussion); Joseph Armstrong, Candido Camero (congas).
Liner Note Author: Bob Porter.
Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey (1969 - 1972).
The first two volumes of THE ORIGINAL JAM MASTER, Blue Note's three-installment compilation series of Grant Green's work with the label between 1969 and 1972, focus on the guitarist's increasing allegiance to funk-inflected workouts and tasty, in-the-pocket grooves. The third volume, however, entitled MELLOW MADNESS, is as smooth and laid-back as the others are down and dirty. The vibe here is blue-toned soul-jazz, with Green and company--including saxophonist Claude Bartee, vibraphonist Willie Bivens, trumpeter Blue Mitchell, and drummer Idris Muhammad--keeping things comparatively restrained and lyrical.
"Cease the Bombing," written by Neal Creque (who also plays electric piano on the cut) is a shimmering tune that boasts a round of fine solos over a light, swaying groove. Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" and Lennon and McCartney's "A Day in the Life" are given silky, soul-jazz treatments, while the near-15-minute live version of Donald Byrd's "Fancy Free" lets all the musicians stretch out over a breezy, percolating rhythm for what is arguably the highlight of the disc. Green's always tasteful, dexterous fretwork--which still bears plenty of bop influence--is a sheer pleasure to listen to, and this set (and its companion volumes) should remind listeners of his importance.
Tracklist
Grant Green
St. Louis-born guitarist Grant Green was a giant of what came to be known as soul-jazz. His singular style incorporated the influences of Gospel, blues, and R&B, and defined a unique post-bop language for electric guitar. His classic early-1960s Blue Note recordings are high-water marks of both the soul-jazz sound and of jazz guitar in general. Drug abuse sadly hampered his later career; he died in 1979, but his son, the jazz guitarist Grant Green, Jr., continues his legacy.
