Lou Donaldson made his reputation largely on the basis of soul jazz recordings such as this. While he would later enjoy commercial success with ‘Alligator Boogaloo’, this album from 1961 is a superior example of the organ jazz format with five extended pieces. Accompanied by Grant Green on guitar and the under-recorded Baby Face Willette on hammond organ, the quartet cooks on the gospel influenced title track with Willette excelling. Green expands upon the standard ‘Foggy Day’ and Donaldson himself has his finest hour on the Charlie Parker tune ‘Cool Blues’ with driving support from organ and drums. An album that truly puts the soul into jazz.
