Lou Donaldson - Alligator Bogaloo

Year : 1967
Label : Blue Note
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz

The essential Soul Jazz masterpiece among the most sampled album of the time, performed by the Soul Jazz saxophonist No. 1 featuring a funky combo with drummer Leo Morris (Idris Muhammad), guitarist George Benson, organist Lonnie Smith & cornestist Melvin Lastie Sr. in addition on "I Want A Little Girl". "Alligator Bogaloo" opens the R&B era of Lou Donalson to the Funk/Soul accent including the climax album "Midnight Creeper" with the same rhythm section. Titles include "One Cylinder" sampled by french rapper MC Solaar on "Qui Sème Le Vent Récolte Le Tempo" (1991) & "Superstarr" (1994), original composition by Lonnie Smith (Aw Shucks!), "The Thang", "Rev. Moses" & the title-track composed by Lou Donaldson. Recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder.

Lou Donaldson - Midnight Creeper

Year : 1968
Label : Blue Note
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz

In the continuity of Mr. Shing-A-Ling and the famous Alligator Boogaloo, Midnight Creeper embraced again the Funk style. Lou Donaldson Quintet featuring Blue Mitchell, Lonnie Smith, George Benson and Idris Muhammad where Lonnie adds his contribution (he co-written the title track with Lou) and George show us his great guitar skill in a mix up of Hard Bop improvisations & Soul Jazz served by funky arrangements. Titles include all compositions of Lou Donaldson except Love Power by Teddy Van, Bag of Jewels by Lonnie Liston Smith (the other jazz organist) & Dapper Dan by Harold Ousley. Recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder.

Lou Donaldson_altosaxophone
Blue Mitchell_cornet & trumpet
Lonnie Smith_organ
George Benson_guitar
Idris Muhammad_drums

01. Midnight Creeper
02. Love Power
03. Elizabeth
04. Bag of Jewels
05. Dapper Dan

Lonnie Smith - Move Your Hand

Year : 1969

Label : Blue Note

Genre : Jazz

Style : Soul Jazz, Jazz Funk

Hammond B3 organ master, Lonnie Smith (not to be confused to Lonnie 'Liston' Smith, also keyboardist) became known as member of the George Benson first quartet (Cookbook & It's Uptown) in 1966. After recorded his first solo album Finger Lickin' Good, he became sideman for Lou Donaldson between 1967 to 1970 on five album as Midnight Creeper & Everything I Play Is Funky, and later for others international artists such as Teruo Nakamura on Rising Sun album in 1976. This LP was recorded live at Club Harlem in Atlantic City and includes the famous  Move Your Hand where Smith sings in a 'broken voice' style, the pop song Sunshine Superman from Donovan.

Lonnie Smith_organ, vocal
Larry McGee_guitar
Ronnie Cuber & Rudy Jones_saxophone
Sylvester Goshay_drums 

01. Charlie Brown
02. Layin' In The Cut
03. Move Your Hand
04. Sunshine Superman

Teruo Nakamura - Rising Sun

Year : 1976
Label : Kitty
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk

"Rising Sun" is a typical Jazz Funk album, among best japanese productions reminicent of the Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters era, including Latin Jazz with samba beats (Rising Sun, Precious One), Electronic grooves (Red Shoes), Heavy Hancock's Funk (Cat), Smooth Jazz (Morning Mist / Steppin' With Lord) and Reggae (Sweet Pea & Collard Greens). Teruo Nakamura is a japanese producer, multi-instrumentalist and jazz bassist based in New York since 1964. He studied double bass alongside Reggie Workman and played for drummer Roy Haynes on "Hip Ensemble" released in 1971. Recorded at A&R Studio, New York City, "Rising Sun" is his second studio album introducing his new group "The Rising Sun Band" featuring special guest musician, the organist Dr Lonnie Smith, and including guitarist Shiro Mori, pianist Harry Whitaker, saxophonists Steve Grossman & Carter Jefferson, trumpeter John Mosley, drummer Art Gore.

LISTEN SAMPLE

Lou Donaldson - Everything I Play Is Funky

Year : 1970
Label : Blue Note
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz

Rare groove and the most funkiest LP from Lou Donaldson and his brilliant quintet  featuring Idris Muhammad &  Lonnie Smith (such as on Midnight Creeper) plus Blue Mitchell, Melvin Sparks and guests Ed Williams & Charles Earland who replaces Blue Mitchell & Lonnie Smith on Donkey Walk & West Indian Daddy. Titles include his best funk track Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On) written by Allen Toussaint, Over The Rainbow from movie The Wizard Of Oz by Judy Garland and four original compositions by Lou Donaldson.

Lou Donaldson_alto & baritone saxophone, vocal

Lonnie Smith_organ

Jimmie Lewis_bass

Melvin Sparks_guitar

Idris Muhammad_drums

Blue Mitchell_trumpet

01. Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)
02. Hamp's Hump
03. Over The Rainbow
04. Donkey Walk
05. West Indian Daddy
06. Minor Bash