About

Following his 1968 Blue Note debut On Broadway, Hammond B3 organist Reuben Wilson returned to Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in March 1969 to record the follow-up Love Bug. This time out producer and Blue Note co-founder Francis Wolff put Wilson at the helm of a dynamic quintet with Lee Morgan on trumpet, George Coleman on tenor saxophone, Grant Green on guitar, and Leo Morris (later known as Idris Muhammad) on drums.

The result was one of the standout soul jazz dates of the late 60s, a funky six-song set that featured deep-grooved Wilson originals including “Hot Rod,” Back Out,” and the title track “Love Bug” alongside cover versions of some of the biggest R&B hits of the day like Gamble and Huff’s “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” (Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations), Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “I Say A Little Prayer” (Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin), and Isaac Hayes and David Porter’s “Hold On, I’m Comin’” (Sam & Dave). — (via Label)

Love Bug was an attempt to establish Reuben Wilson as an organist with either the vision of Larry Young or the fiery style of John Patton, and while it comes up short on both accounts, it nevertheless remains quite enjoyable. Working with an impressive backing band of guitarist Grant Green, trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist George Coleman, and drummer Idris Muhammad, Wilson leads his band through a number of soul-jazz workouts, none of which ever really catch fire. Instead of working tight, funky grooves, the quintet tends to spiral off into vaguely experimental territory, which loses sight of the spirit of the song. Still, Green has a number of shining moments, as does Morgan and Coleman -- in fact, they tend to overshadow Wilson, who nevertheless turns in a fine performance. Nevertheless, there are flashes on Love Bug, particularly on "Hot Rod" and the bonus track "Hold on, I'm Comin'," that demonstrate the organist coming into his own. — (via AllMusic)

↓

Label: Blue Note – 4317
Series: Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue
Reissued: 2021 (Originally released: 1969)
Genre: Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz, Fusion, Jazz-Funk

File under: Blue Note Records
⦿