Let ’Em Roll cover

Let ’Em Roll

Released

This 1965 album by organist Patton (his fifth in three years for Blue Note) is frequently overlooked, but it shouldn’t be. His regular instrumentation of organ, guitar and drums (here played by Grant Green and Otis Finch) is augmented by a surprise element: Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone. His shimmering cloud chords and fleet melodic runs are a perfect counterpart for Green’s stinging, bluesy guitar and Patton’s thick organ, and Finch’s hard-swinging backbeat never misses. In addition to four Patton soul-jazz originals, the album includes a version of the standard “The Shadow of Your Smile” and another welcome surprise — a version of Hank Mobley’s “The Turnaround.” This is a head-nodding, foot-tapping album sure to please fans of organ jazz, with just that little something extra for listeners attuned to Hutcherson’s mid ’60s post-bop style.

Phil Freeman

Suggestions
Africa/Brass cover

Africa/Brass

John Coltrane
Inner Fire cover

Inner Fire

The Souljazz Orchestra
Mama Too Tight cover

Mama Too Tight

Archie Shepp
Living Black! cover

Living Black!

Charles Earland
Doug Carn [JID005] cover

Doug Carn [JID005]

Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Doug Carn, Adrian Younge
Pass the Plate cover

Pass the Plate

The Crusaders