A swinging soul-jazz set from just before the point where soul-jazz turned once and for all into fusion, 1970's Brother Jug is very much an album of its time. (Note Billy Butler's funky-cheesy wah-wah guitar underpinning "Jungle Strut.") That said, while the album doesn't have the classic timelessness of Gene Ammons' best '50s and early-'60s work, Brother Jug is one of Ammons' better albums released soon after the tenor saxophonist's release from a seven-year prison sentence. Ammons' playing on this album has an unaccustomed grit; even on ballads like "Didn't We," there's an R&B-style honk to Ammons' tone that suits the funky, electric arrangements well. Brother Jug is not an all-time classic -- the closing take on "Son of a Preacher Man," with Sonny Phillips' in-your-face wah-wah organ, is hampered by a too-sluggish rhythm section and some unimaginative, braying solos by Ammons -- but even the weakest tunes have a certain historical interest. -
by Stewart Mason, AMGArtist: Gene Ammons
Album: Brother Jug!
Year: 1969 (Prestige)
Quality:
eac-flac, cue, log, artw. Label: OJC (2000, 20 bit remastered)
Total time: 33:45
Tracks:1. Son Of A Preacher Man (John Hurley/Ronnie Wilkins) 4:27
2. Didn't We (Jimmy Webb) 6:05
3. He's A Real Gone Guy (Nellie Lutcher) 5:05
4. Jungle Strut (Gene Ammons) 5:12
5. Blue Velvet (Lee Morris/Bernie Wayne) 4:06
6. Ger-ru (Gene Ammons) 8:46
Personnel:Gene Ammons (Tenor Saxophone)
Sonny Phillips (Organ)
Bob Bushnell (Fender Bass)
Bernard Purdie (Drums)
Billy Butler (Guitar) - 1,4
Junior Mance (Piano) - 6
Buster Williams (Double Bass) - 6
Frankie Jones (Drums) - 6
Candido Camero (Conga) - 6
Prince James (Tenor Saxophone) - 6
