RICHARD "GROOVE" HOLMES — Welcome Home (review)

RICHARD Album · 1968 · Soul Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
js
“Welcome Home” isn’t one of Holmes’ best albums, but on the other hand, its not near as commercial as some of his later efforts. Basically you get a mix of bluesy jazz and RnB pop covers on here, not far from your typical 60s soul jazz side. The album opens strong with the swingin “Groovin Time”. When it comes to the masters of the B3, Jimmy Smith may have the high speed licks, and Brother Jack McDuff and Jimmy McGriff may have the funky RnB, but no one swings like Groove Holmes. Side one closes out nicely with the soulful RnB of “Oklahoma Toad” and a mid-tempo swing blues called “Upward Bound”.

Side two also starts strong with the funky RnB of “The Madison Time”, but then the album looses its drive and closes out with four pop tunes of varying quality with Marvin Gayes’ “Sunday Mornin” being the best, and the theme from “The Odd Couple” being the cheesiest. I think fans of Groove Holmes and fans of 60s soul jazz would be happy with this record, you have three or four great cuts on here, and even the pop tunes are well done and plenty soulful. Another plus on here is the great recorded sound and production, its all a classic 60s analog vibe without a trace of 70s fuzak or smooth jazz.
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