Organ Monk Going Home
Sunnyside, 2023
8/10
Listen to Organ Monk Going Home
The organ wizard Gregory Lewis is surrounded by Kevin McNeal and Nasheet Waits for these 7 Thelonious Monk interpretations and lone original.
The playful and meticulous “Who Knows” opens the listen with acrobatic keys from Lewis alongside Waits’ frisky drums, and “Evidence” follows with a deeper tone that’s complemented by McNeal’s warm guitar for plenty of unpredictable, stylish jazz ideas.
Halfway through, “Brilliant Corners” is a calmer moment of intimate and soulful ideas, while “Gallop’s Gallop” bops and shakes with an animated energy that meshes the charming organ with fluid guitar progressions.
Close to the end, the more drum focused “Brake’s Sake” is met with firm key playing and no lack of melody, and “Jaclyn’s Eyes”, a Lewis original, exits with a distinct dreaminess that blurs the 3 instruments in a haze of cozy, inviting songwriting.
Lewis grew up on soul and funk, and he incorporates those influences into this highly creative reworking of Monk’s vision, plus an extremely well crafted original- the latter being one of the best selections.
Travels well with: Todd Mosby- Land Of Enchantment; Clifford Jordan- Drink Plenty Water