Organ Envy

Every now and then I need a dose of heavy duty soul, the kind with plenty of Hammond B3 accompaniment and a good sax solo doesn't hurt either. Jimmy Smith immediately comes to mind, but there were others like Charles Earland, Jimmy McGriff, and Shirley Scott, who happened to be Stanley Turrentine's wife. Of course many organist were not the band leaders, but sideman. Freddie Roach accompanies Ike Quebec on the opening tune, which was my inspiration for this list. Other notable sidemen include Wild Bill Davis, who is featured with Duke Ellington in "Black Swan," while Don Patterson backs up Sonny Stitt on "Soul People." As summer slowly fades away, a little organ jazz may just be the perfect soundtrack for a summer afternoon. Click here to listen.

1. Heavy Soul - Ike Quebec
2. Midnight Special - Jimmy Smith
3. Minors Allowed - Johnny 'Hammond' Smith
4. Red, Green & Black Blues - Charles Earland
5. After Hours - Richard Groove Holmes
6. Angel Eyes - Gene Ammons
7. Senor Blues - Shirley Scott
8. Meydele - Skip Heller Trio
9. Trouble Man - Reuben Wilson
10. Hittin' The Jug - Jimmy McGriff
11. One Mint Julep - Joey DeFrancesco
12. The Honeydripper - Jack McDuff
13. Jungle Soul - Dr. Lonnie Smith
14. Trip Merchant - Larry Young
15. Black Swan - Duke Ellington
16. The Selma March - Grant Green/Donald Byrd
17. The Beast - Milt Buckner
18. Stomp - Charles Kynard feat. Wilton Felder
19. Soul People - Sonny Stitt
20. Mudcat - Bill Doggett
21. The Wizard - Greg Hatza
22. Easy Living - Lou Bennett