Ain’t No Sunshine (Live in Seattle)
Vinyl Release Date: April 20, 2024 / CD + Digital: May 17, 2024
Label: Real to Reel
RECORD STORE DAY EXCLUSIVE
Recorded live at The Gallery in Seattle on September 13, 1972, Ain’t No Sunshine (Live in Seattle) is a must-hear document of Brother Jack McDuff’s stellar creative output in the early-1970’s. After recording over 50 albums throughout the course of the 1960’s, McDuff’s sound at the time of this recording is perhaps at its very peak - uncompromisingly bluesy, masterfully arranged, and expertly articulated by his tight-knit ensemble. Leading from the organ chair, McDuff is joined by Leo Johnson on tenor saxophone, flute and clarinet, Dave Young on tenor and soprano saxophone, Vinnie Corrao on guitar, and Ron Davis on drums.
This deluxe edition 180-gram double LP is produced by Cory Weeds for Reel to Real Recordings, an archival imprint of Cellar Music Group. This notable vinyl package will be released on April 20, 2024 as part of Record Store Day. The package includes an extensive booklet with essays by Weeds, Andrew Scott, and Brian Charette as well as interviews with George Benson, Larry Goldings and Delvon Lamar.
Brother Jack McDuff is perhaps most associated with his dynamic quartet from the mid-1960s featuring George Benson, Red Holloway and Joe Dukes waxed some of the most iconic organ records ever recorded. The 1972 incarnation of McDuff’s ensemble was a short-lived and seldom-recorded grouping comprised of artists hand-picked by McDuff to execute his exacting arrangements and play with the requisite drive and improvisatory fire that the bandleader demanded. The result was lightning in a bottle.
The album begins with the irresistible groove of “Theme From The Electric Surfboard”. A true feature for the bandleader, the song begins with a bass-line from McDuff’s left-hand - showcasing his ability to create seamless, tasteful bass-lines completely independent from the melodic exploration and harmonic refrains of his right-hand. With the fullness of a big band, the group’s frontline and McDuff’s chord voicings seamlessly meld together to create a full sonic palette. The bandleader takes a ferocious solo, each note crunching under the threshold of a ring modulator, creating a sound that is funky and otherworldly.
Seldom do you find a band that grooves so hard that they can bring a modern flair to a nursery rhyme. Funky, groovin’ and at times discordant, the bandleader interprets “Three Blind Mice” in a way that only McDuff can. Cory Weeds remarks, “I love it when McDuff pumps the bass and pushes things as hard as he does on ‘Three Blind Mice’ from this recording. His bass lines are so clear, and McDuff has this unique way of pushing the time, without rushing.”
In-keeping with the soul-jazz tradition, McDuff delivers an exploratory improvisational rendition of a popular song of the day. Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” had been released just the year prior, and had reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. McDuff’s take on this R&B classic features a fantastic flute solo from Johnson, and rousing improvisation from the bandleader. Side B continues on a quieter note with McDuff’s version of the standard “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You”.
Side C features a fiery ensemble piece (of unknown origin) featuring solos from each member, this tune leads into McDuff’s jubilant composition “The Jolly Black Giant”. This soulful blues features evocative solos from McDuff, Corrao, Johnson, Young and an unknown trumpeter.
Side D begins with McDuff’s sultry, introspective “Middle Class Folk Song”, showing a decidedly different side of the organist’s compositional mind. The album concludes with the bright, Latin-tinged “6:30 In The Morning” featuring Leo Johnson on flute and Dave Young on soprano saxophone.
Regarding this historic release, producer Cory Weeds remarks “there is something about it – its looseness, its archival nature, the imperfections, the vibe that is created as this road-weary ensemble works out arrangements and makes mistakes, but never compromises laying on the thick and heavy groove – that makes it a truly special Reel to Real Recordings organ release.”
MATT MICUCCI
JAZZIZ
"10 Record Store Day 2024 Drops You Need to Know" Check out the full article here.
IMRAN MIRZA
UK VIBE
"An incredible live set bolstered by the project’s overall exquisite presentation." Check out the full review here.
THIERRY DE CLEMENSAT
PARIS MOVE
"You’ll immediately recognize where this album is taking you, and honestly, this album is totally legendary!" Check out the full review here.
GEORGE W. HARRIS
JAZZ WEEKLY
"...he brings in the soul train with Corrao providing the wacka-wooka guitar on pieces like an extroverted “Three Blind Mice” and a supercharged “Ain’t No Sunshine”. " Check out the full review here.
MARK MYRES
JAZZ WAX
"The soul-jazz ensemble delivers peppery funk and leans hard into jazz, with McDuff's organ acting as a giant spoon stirring the cauldron.” Check out the full review here.
KYLE SIMPLER
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"His funky and soulful approach to the Hammond B3 makes him one of the most respected figures in the genre." Check out the full RSD announcement here.
ERIC OLSON
THE SEATTLE TIMES
Check out the full article here.
JIM HYNES
GLIDE MAGAZINE
"This is the peak period for the organ giant leading a quintet in this live session." Check out the full feature here.
MICHEAL FREMER
TRACKING ANGLE
"The early live Cannonball Riverside records were always fun to listen to both for the music and for his playful, so cool between tune call outs." Check out the full article here.
A.D. AMOROSI
FLOOD MAGAZINE
“This is hard-scrambled battle jazz at its finest and funkiest." Check out the full review here.
MARK SMOTROFF
ANALOG PLANET
“Ain’t No Sunshine: Live In Seattle, the sound palate is more diverse than many earlier recordings of his I have heard.” Check out the full review here.
EDITOR
WRTI
" This Seattle set from 1972 is a true revelation that captures McDuff's well-oiled working ensemble plus the unrestrained ferocity of its leader." Check out the full review here.
CRAIG BYRD
CULTURAL ATTACHE
Check out the full Record Store Day (RSD) round-up list here.
DEE DEE MCNEIL
MUSICAL MEMOIRS
“When they slow the groove down and play songs like “I’m Getting Sentimental over You,” you will hear the softer, pretty side of McDuff’s organ featuring his wonderful saxophonists with their spontaneous solos." Check out the full review here.
PIERRE GIROUX
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
“With McDuff's fingers dancing effortlessly across the keys he achieved a piano-like effect with a delectable groove.” Check out the full review here.
DAVID LUHRSSEN
SHEPHERD EXPRESS
“Jack McDuff turned “Three Blind Mice” into a soulful groove on this live date, a previously unreleased concert from 1973." Check out the full review here.
MARK McKERGOW
LONDON JAZZ NEWS
"This is a wonderful chance to step back in time to the autumn of 1972 and sit in on a live and cooking session with one of the top jazz organists of all time." Check out the full review here.
TONE SCOTT
GOLDMINE MAGAZINE
Check out the full RSD Round-up list here.
KEN WAXMAN
NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD
Check out the full review on page 22 here.
KEN WAXMAN
JAZZ WORLD
“Ballads, blues, pop or jazz tunes all move with a foot tapping pulse. This is mostly attributable to the organist’s concentrated bass line – he was originally a bassist – complemented by emotional resonations from the instrument’s top keys and intensified by brief but solid soloing from Corrao, saxophonists Leo Johnson and Dave Young, drummer Ron Davis and on several tracks an unknown trumpeter." Check out the full review here.
GEORGE COLE
JAZZ VIEWS
"The band plays a delightful 14-minute rendition of the nursery rhyme ‘Three Blind Mice,’ with the horn section harmonizing on the theme and McDuff mixing chunky chords with a beefy walking bass line." Check out the full review here.