Organissimo - This Is The Place
LANSING, MICHIGAN-BASED organissimo (with a small “o” despite its Big “O” Records label) somewhat self-deprecatingly refers to itself as a bar band. But the group goes well beyond that as it stretches the boundaries of the traditional organ trio with bits of funk, blues, Latin,groove and New Orleans in?uences.
The trio is smack dab in the soul jazz pocket with its opening “Wealthy Street” and gets down and dirty with a Big Easy-in?uenced “Greaze Monkey.” “Tenderly”shows the group's softer side, as organist Jim Alfredson's bossa nova arrangement leads to some sweet guitar from Joe Gloss. Versatile drummer Randy Marsh even doubles on harmonica on the slow gospel-funk of “Brother Ray". Yet another gem on this CD is a venerating cover of Frank Zappa's “Peaches En Regalia.”
More than the run-of-the mill organ combo, organissimo should appeal to B3 lovers and groove kids alike.
~Ed Trefzger
From JazzWeek - August 3, 2005