LOU DONALDSON - EVERYTHING I PLAY IS FUNKY (LP)

Lou Donaldson Everything I Play Is Funky on Vinyl LP! 

Everything I Play Is Funky is easily one of the best examples of Lou Donaldson's commercially accessible period of the late '60s and early '70s and the grooves here are consistently limber and unforced. The Lee Dorsey-sung, Allen Toussaint-penned "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)" kicks off an entertaining program also highlighted by three Donaldson originals, the cooking funk number "Donkey Walk," which seems to inspire the fieriest solos on the record, the cheery calypso "West Indian Daddy," and the hard bop-flavored "Minor Bash." There's also a version of "Over the Rainbow" done in Donaldson's caressing, melodic ballad style, and the simple funk vamp "Hamp's Hump." It's a nicely varied assortment, all anchored by the percolating rhythm section of guitarist Melvin Sparks, bassist Jimmy Lewis, and drummer Idris Muhammad (Charles Earland and Dr. Lonnie Smith switch off on organ, and Blue Mitchell and Eddie Williams do the same on trumpet). This is the sort of record that modern-day Donaldson disciples cherish, and one of his few truly consistent efforts in this style. Recommended wholeheartedly to funk and rare-groove fans.

Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on August 22, 1969 and January 9, 1970. Originally released on Blue Note (84337). Includes liner notes by Glenn E. Thompkins. This is part of Blue Note's Rare Groove series.

Lou Donaldson Everything I Play Is Funky Track Listing

1. Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)   
2. Hamp's Hump  
3. Over The Rainbow
4. Donkey Walk   
5. West Indian Daddy   
6. Minor Bash