If Hammond B3 trios are your comfort food, then you’re in for a rib sticking blue plate special served up by the team of drummer Mike DeConzo, guitarist John Lynch and organ grinder William Gorman (with Greg Lewis sitting in for a handful of tunes). The three double down on the mood, adroitly selecting some soul classics from years gone by and giving them a dry rub BBQ pasting for extra flavor.
DeConzo’s crisp back beat is a hip hugger for the Sly and Family Stoner “Stand” that includes some tasty tones by Lynch. The high hat hums while Gorman’s Leslie’s hum and pop for the strutting read of Stevie Wonder’s “Living For The City” while the keys get churchy for a deft rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Until You Come Back To Me” which features some glowing strings by Lynch.
Your neck’s gonna get supple bouncing to the strutting “Witch Hunt” and vintage CTI moods cruise like a 61 Chevy V8 as the team barrels down the highway on Joe Samples’ “Street Life”. Guest baritone saxist Larry Bustamante takes the pulpit and preaches like a Baptist minister on the thick and gritty “Lomy’s Homies” with the whole session coming down like the juke joint is jumpin’. When are these cats hitting So Cal?