Yes, that's a nice album. Much though I love Junior, I find it difficult to say that he was a wide influence.
Now, if Dan comes in, saying "there's no Three Sounds albums in there, what you playing at?" I claim ignorance because I don't know nearly as much as I should about them or Gene Harris himself. But I've got most of Junior's albums, including all of the ones before '77 except 2 of his Capitol jobs, and can't, therefore, claim ignorance. I'm always reminded of what Chuck Nessa says about him - Junior Mance is a very nice man and a very good piano player - or words to that effect.
But give it a go, Soulpope - tell us why you think that's an important moment in soul jazz history.
MG
Important in Soul Jazz History - not sure whether I can cope with that ranking...but Junior Mance to me was as soulfull as it gets and based on the strength of his contributions a number of recordings, probably not even intentionally, just turned that way......an example ? Here we go :
Of course Martin Rivera and Oliver Jackson also didn`t hamper the soulfull groove....