Friday, March 25, 2022

"Sir Edward" AKA Harold Vick - The Power of Feeling (March 25, 2022 Jazz Room Records)

One of the great unsung saxophone hero's: Harold Vick worked as a sideman with Hammond Legends Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Big John Patton, and Larry Young. He played on and off with Walter Bishop, Jr. and also worked with Philly Joe Jones, Howard McGhee, Donald Byrd and Ray Charles and appeared with Dizzy Gillespie, King Curtis, and from 1970 to 1974 with Aretha Franklin. He played in Jack DeJohnette's jazz-rock band Compost from 1971 to 1973,recording with them in 1972 which is about the same time as this recording and that is probably the reason it is under the pseudonym of "Sir Edward". Add to that an absolutely top notch band, including bassist Wilbur "Bad" Bascomb, Jumma Santos on percussion and the mellow vibes of Omar Clay and this is a must have soulful jazz outing.

The music is a funky mix of some of the big Soul tunes of the day, with versions of Donny Hathaway and The Stylistics and a nod to the CTI stylings of the day with a get down version of "People Make The World Go Round".

Plus of course the opening track which Harold Vick had recorded with Shirley Scott on her album "One For Me" (Re-issued on Gilles Peterson's Brownswood label .

With original copies now changing hands for 3 figure sums Jazz Room Records are pleased to present the first re-issue from Funky Drummer Bernard Purdies short lived Encounter Label.

1. KEEP ON MOVING ON
2. WHERE IS THE LOVE
3. PEOPLE MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND
4. STOCKING CAP
5. ROCKY MOUNT WILLIE
6. BETCHA BY GOLLY WOW
7. PEACE K.D.