Joe
Tatton is best known as the keyboard player of the British jazz funk
quartet The New Mastersounds, but also the leader of his own Hammond
organ trio. Their debut was released in 2022, and now Joe has teamed up with guitarist Lucas De Mulder from Madrid, plus drummer Luke Flowers from the Cinematic Orchestra, for its successor.
This album is an excellent mix of up-tempo funk and jazz. The CD starts with the up-tempo, James Brown-esque ‘Double Take’, where the energy flies off. ‘Hey!’ then leans more towards The Meters from New Orleans, after which Atholl Ransome and Malcolm Strachan from The Haggis Horns, together with Sam Bell on congas, are present on the salsa of ‘El Gato’ and thus deliver a beautiful Latin number.
‘Guinnee Drop’ brings the tempo down, into a funky jam. Then ‘Sugarman’ brings a cover of Sixto Rodriguez, in a “mellow” version. The title track is also funky, and shows Joe playing the Hammond organ to the fullest. ‘Retiro’ was inspired by a park near Lucas in Madrid, and it’s a relaxed boogaloo.
The first single from this album was ‘Dame Lo Que Tienes’, and it’s a traditional Hammond organ jazz funk number, in the style of The Crusaders, with a funky guitar elaboration. ‘Moonbow’ takes the slow, “mellow” jazz route, after which ‘Lost on You’ closes with a return to disco and soul, with a nod to George Benson.
A CD that will certainly appeal to fans of Jimmy McGriff, Dr. Lonnie Smith and George Benson!
Tracks:
1. Double Take
2. Hey!
3. El Gato
4. Guinnee Drop
5. Sugar Man
6. Galáctico
7. Retiro
8. Dame Lo Que Tienes
9. Moonbow
10. Lost On You